Youth shot while 'riding' speedboat in Padma

A young man, Shariful Islam Babu (38), was shot while riding a speedboat on the Padma River late at night in Bheramara upazila, Kushtia. He was first taken to Kushtia General Hospital in critical condition and later transferred to Dhaka for advanced treatment.

The incident occurred around 3am on Thursday (July 30) in the Padma River adjacent to Mani Park in the Golapnagar area of the upazila. Shariful Islam Babu is a resident of Bahadurpur village in Bahadurpur Union.

According to police, Mani Park owner Monirul Islam Mani had taken four others to the river to test a speedboat. When they were about a kilometre away from the park area, shots were fired at them from another speedboat. Shariful Islam Babu was hit.

Kushtia General Hospital Resident Medical Officer Dr Iqbal Hasan said the cause of injury was recorded as 'gunshot wound' in the emergency department register. He was later taken to Dhaka for better treatment.

On Friday evening, the victim's wife, Boni, said her husband's condition was critical and he was being taken to Dhaka. However, she did not know further details about the incident.

Local residents have been speculating about the incident. Several sources claim that armed groups are active in the area over control of char land and sand loading points in the Padma. However, it has not been confirmed whether this incident is connected to that dispute.

Bheramara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Muhammad Zahedur Rahman said police are investigating the motive behind the shooting and those involved. The matter is being examined from various angles.