BNP activist shot dead in Ctg's Raozan

A local BNP activist was shot dead over a dispute related to hill cutting in Raozan upazila of Chattogram.

The incident took place around 3:00am at Khamar Tila in East Aili Khil under Raozan municipality on Friday night (April 24).

The deceased, Md. Kausar Uz Zaman Bablu, 36, was the son of Abul Kalam Soudagor of Dhala Mukha area in Ward-9 and a BNP worker.

Local sources said Bablu and his cousin had been involved in cutting soil from the hill and selling it, which allegedly led to the conflict behind the killing.

However, his father Abul Kalam Soudagor claimed Bablu had gone to his maternal grandfather’s house for a visit and was ambushed and killed while returning home.

Raozan Police Station OC Sajedul Islam said the group involved in the killing has been identified and drives are underway to arrest them.

He also noted that the family initially told police Bablu had gone fishing.

Police are investigating the incident, the OC added.

Since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, a total of 22 murders have been reported in Raozan over the past 19 months. Among the victims, 16 were BNP leaders and activists, five were from the Awami League, and one was killed in a family dispute.