Youth League leader shot in Noakhali as political factions trade blame

A local leader of the Juba Dal, the youth wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was shot and injured in the Begumganj upazila of Noakhali district on Sunday evening. The victim, identified as 35-year-old Md. Sohel, who serves as the ward president of the Juba Dal, is currently receiving treatment at the Noakhali 250-bed General Hospital.

The incident occurred at approximately 6:45 p.m. in Rasulpur village, located in Ward 8 of Gopalpur Union. According to local Juba Dal activists, Sohel was standing in front of his residence when a group of seven to eight armed individuals approached him, opened fire, and fled the scene. Sohel sustained multiple pellet wounds during the attack and was initially transported to the local upazila health complex before being transferred to the district hospital.

Nurul Amin Khan, general secretary of the Noakhali district Juba Dal, alleged that members of the Islami Chhatra Shibir were responsible for the shooting. He further claimed that several unions within the Begumganj area have become safe havens for armed cadres affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami and Chhatra Shibir, citing a similar previous shooting incident in Chhayani Union.

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However, Chhatra Shibir North District President Mujahidul Islam has categorically denied these allegations. He claimed that, according to information he observed on social media, the victim may have been injured by his own weapon while carrying it. He emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to establish the facts.

Police officials arrived at the scene shortly after the incident. Md. Habibur Rahman, Inspector of Investigation at Begumganj Police Station, noted that the attack took place in a dark and muddy area near a canal embankment during the Maghrib prayer time. Preliminary findings suggest that the injuries were caused by shotgun pellets. Authorities confirmed that an investigation is underway and appropriate legal action will be taken based on the findings.