A Correspondent:
Cox’s Bazar: A man was killed and over 50 people were injured during an “attack by miscreants” at Samity Para near the Bangladesh Air Force base in Cox’s Bazar yesterday.
The deceased was identified as Shihab Kabir Nahid, 30, son of former Primary Teachers’ Train-ing Institute (PTI) superintendent Nasir Uddin, 30, said Ahsan Habib Polash, deputy inspector general of the Chattogram Range of the police.
According to the Inter Services Public Relations, some miscreants launched a ‘surprise’ attack on the Air Force Base on Monday.
The Bangladesh Air Force is taking necessary steps in this regard, the ISPR release added.
Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Salahuddin said a man with bullet injuries was admitted to Sadar Hospital who was declared dead by doctors.
Besides, five others are undergoing treatment at the same hospital.
“A thorough investigation is underway, and discussions will be held with both parties to determine the cause of the incident,” he added.
Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital superintendent Dr Mong Ting also confirmed the death.
Locals alleged that tensions escalated following a dispute over land acquisition for the ex-pansion of Cox’s Bazar airport.
Akhter Kamal, a resident of Samity Para area, said a meeting was scheduled between BAF members and representatives of local people at the deputy commissioner’s office to dis-cuss the relocation of affected residents.
Around noon, when some locals, including one Md Jahid, were going to attend the meeting, BAF personnel stopped them at a checkpoint near Diabetic Point in the town.
An argument ensued between Jahid and the Air Force members, he said.
More people gathered there and protested the incident, triggering the clash, he said.
Shahjahan, another resident, claimed that during the clash Air Force personnel fired shots to disperse the crowd, leaving several injured.
Shihab was later rushed to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Shihab’s father, Nasir Uddin, demanded justice for his son’s killing, calling for an impar-tial investigation into the incident.
