One killed as rival groups clash over alleged extortion money at Sadarghat

A young man was killed after two groups clashed over the alleged sharing of extortion money at Sadarghat in Old Dhaka on Saturday night, police and local sources said.

The incident took place at around 11pm at the East Bengal Super Market under Sutrapur police station.

The victim, identified as Mitul, was reportedly a member of the Jubo Dal-affiliated Swechhasebak Dal in Ward 37 of Dhaka’s Kotwali area.

According to eyewitnesses, the dispute involved two rival groups led by former Jubo Dal leader Sobhan and Kiran, senior joint convener of the Dhaka Metropolitan South Chhatra Dal. Both are reportedly followers of Suman Bhuiyan, convener of the Dhaka Metropolitan South unit of the Sramik Dal, and are aspiring to secure positions in the Kotwali Thana Jubo Dal.

The long-running rivalry between the two groups reportedly escalated into a confrontation on Saturday night over the division of money allegedly collected through extortion.

During the clash, Mitul was seriously injured after being struck in the chest with a pair of scissors used for cutting fabric. He was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Another person was reportedly injured in the clash. Relatives and supporters of Mitul gathered at Mitford Hospital after the incident, with around 80 to 100 people reportedly assembling there and chanting slogans.

Suman Bhuiyan, whose name surfaced in connection with the rival groups, denied that the people involved were his supporters. “They are not my supporters. They sometimes attend different rallies and meetings. I am physically unwell and have not been able to learn the details,” he said.

Motiur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Sutrapur Police Station, said, "Police had not yet confirmed whether Mitul was affiliated with any political organisation."

“Preliminary information suggests that Mitul was killed after being attacked with scissors following a longstanding dispute. Several others were injured, and those detained are being questioned,” the officer added.

Mitul’s body has been kept at the morgue of Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital for an autopsy. Legal proceedings were underway.