Student leader critically injured in Noakhali shooting following local dispute

Photo Collected

A+ A A-

A local student leader was critically wounded in a shooting incident in Noakhali’s Chatkhil upazila on Thursday night, sparking concerns over rising tensions in the area. The victim, 23-year-old Md. Shahadat Hossain, a member of the Khilpara Union Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and a general secretary candidate for the local committee, was shot with pellets near the Sreepur School area around 8:30 p.m.

Shahadat was initially rushed to the Noakhali 250-bed General Hospital. Due to the severity of his injuries, medical staff subsequently transferred him to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Dr. Rajib Ahmed, the resident medical officer at the Noakhali hospital, confirmed that the victim had sustained pellet wounds and received immediate stabilization efforts upon arrival.

Local police investigations suggest the violence stemmed from a minor dispute. According to Chatkhil Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Monnaf, the conflict originated earlier Thursday afternoon between two groups of teenagers during a football match. The dispute escalated throughout the evening, drawing in older individuals. Upon visiting the scene, police discovered evidence of at least one explosive device, with investigators confirming that remnants of a cocktail blast were recovered from the site.

Bangladesh ramps up earthquake preparedness with national task force and volunteer recruitment drive

Read More

The victim’s family, however, has questioned the official narrative. His brother, Md. Habib, a member of the local Union Jubo Dal, alleged that the attack was politically motivated. He claimed that both he and his brother had been actively posting on social media against local figures associated with the now-proscribed Awami League, suggesting the shooting was a targeted reprisal for those criticisms.

Authorities maintain that they are currently reviewing the sequence of events. Officer Monnaf stated that police are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident and have vowed to take necessary legal action against those responsible for the violence.