Former Kushtia Mayor Hospitalized Following Targeted Attack in Bheramara
Anwarul Kabir, the former mayor of Kushtia’s Bheramara municipality, is recovering at a private hospital in Dhaka after sustaining severe injuries in a targeted attack on Friday night. The former local official, who previously served as a prominent leader within the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), suffered deep lacerations to his head that required 11 stitches following an assault with a sharp weapon.
According to witness accounts, the incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. at a tea stall in the Godown Mor area of Bheramara. A group of assailants arrived on motorcycles and reportedly attacked Kabir with a Chinese axe. Two companions, identified as Dulal and Nuru, were also injured while attempting to intervene. Following initial treatment at Kushtia General Hospital, Kabir was transferred to the capital for specialized medical care.
Kabir, who resigned from his political posts and party activities on June 29 following the fall of the Awami League government, has identified SS Al Hossain Sohag, member secretary of the Bheramara upazila unit of Swechchhasebak Dal, as the leader of the attack. In an interview reported by Prothom Alo, Kabir alleged that Sohag had threatened him as recently as Thursday, warning him that he would not be allowed to move freely in public because of his past JSD affiliations. Kabir further claimed that shots were fired during the altercation, a detail he intends to address through legal action.
Sohag has categorically denied the allegations, characterizing them as unfounded. He claimed the accusations are rooted in political rivalry, suggesting that Kabir is attempting to undermine his own campaign as a mayoral candidate in the upcoming municipal elections. Sohag insisted that he maintains a cordial relationship with Kabir and would have no motive to carry out such an assault while holding a responsible political position.
Local law enforcement authorities have confirmed that they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack. Bheramara Police Station officer-in-charge Muhammad Jahidur Rahman stated that officers visited the scene but found no evidence of gunfire. Police confirmed they have not yet received a formal complaint regarding the incident, but noted that a full investigation will be launched once a report is filed.
