Police hunt Tanti Dal leader over gunfire at Netrokona market

Police are searching for Netrokona district Tanti Dal joint secretary Abu Bakar Siddique, also known as Haji Siddique, after he allegedly fired blank shots from a pistol at a busy market in Purbadhala during election campaigning.

The incident took place around 8pm at Ichulia Bazar in Khalishaur union on Saturday (September 19), triggering panic among traders and shoppers.

Police recovered a spent cartridge from the scene and launched an operation to locate Siddique and recover the weapon.

According to locals and police, Siddique is campaigning for chairman of Khalishaur Union Parishad. He had recently donated Tk 4,000 to the Khalapara Sheikhbari Jame Mosque to buy a microphone.

Another chairman candidate, Masud, later donated Tk 5,000 for the same purpose.

Siddique subsequently asked mosque committee members about their political support and sought the return of his donation. The committee refunded the money, after which he allegedly became angry and warned people not to touch his campaign banners at the market.

At one point, witnesses said, Siddique pulled out a pistol and fired several blank shots in the middle of the market, causing people to panic and flee.

Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun, officer-in-charge (OC) of Purbadhala Police Station, said on Sunday that a general diary had been filed over the incident and a cartridge recovered.

He said preliminary investigation identified Siddique as the alleged shooter and that he has no valid firearm licence.

Police were conducting raids to arrest him and recover the weapon. His mobile phone was found switched off when attempts were made to contact him.

District Tanti Dal President Saifuddin Ahmed Lenin confirmed Siddique’s organisational affiliation, saying disciplinary action would be taken if an investigation establishes his involvement.