11 more killed in 'gunfights' -The Asian Age

Eleven more alleged drug peddlers, including a municipal councilor, were killed in "gunfights" in eleven districts early yesterday amid anti-narcotic drives of law enforcers across the country.

Of them, one each was killed in Cox's Bazar, Chattogram, Noakhali, Chandpur, Mymensingh, Khulna, Bagerhat, Thakurgaon and Kushtia districts.

In Cox's Bazar: A listed drug trader Ekramul Haque, 46, councilor of ward no 3 in Teknaf Municipality, was killed in a reported gunfight with members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) on Cox's Bazar-Teknaf marine drive road in Noakhaliapara around 12:30 am. In Chattogram: A suspected drug trader Rihan Prakash, 27, son of Maliul Haque of Golabaria area of Muradpur union in Sitakunda upazila, was killed in a gunfight with police in Guliakhali Sandwip ferry ghat area around 12:45am.

Mozammel Haque, officer-in-charge of Sitakunda police station, said the team of police also arrested three of Rihan's associates -- Zafor, Kala Sumon and Titu -- from the spot.

In Khulna: A suspected drug trader Abu Kalam, accused in 5 cases, was killed in a reported gunfight with police in Barakpur Siddiqpasa Kheye ghat area of Dighalia upazila around 3:00am, said assistant superintendent of Khulna Police Anisur Rahman.

In Bagerhat: A suspected drug trader Mitul Biswas, 45, son of Khoka Biswas of Chingguri village in Chitalmari upazila, accused in 25 cases, was killed in a gunfight with a joint team of members of police and Detective Branch in an orchard in the village around 3:15am.

In Noakhali: A suspected drug trader Hasan Mia, son of Hanif Mia of Banoai village in Sonaimuri upazila, was killed in a reported gunfight with police in Bogadia area around 3:00am.

In Chandpur: A 'gunfight' between a gang of drug paddlers and police left Selim Mia, 35, a suspected drug peddler and son of Salamatullah of Upadhi village, dead at Hazirdon in Matlab South upazila around 2:50am.

He was wanted in seven cases filed under Narcotics Control Act, said Kutubuddin, officer-in-charge of Matlab South Police Station In Mymensingh: An unidentified drug trader was killed in a gunfight with police in Kewatkhali Morakhola area around 1:30am.

In Thakurgaon: A suspected drug trader Rafiqul Islam alias Taleban, 55, son of Liakat Ali of Bhornia village in Ranisankail upazila, was killed in a gunfight with police in Miradangi area.Farhat Ahmed, superintendent of Thakurgaon police, said Rafiqul was accused in 20 cases.

In Meherpur: A suspected drug trader Hafizul Islam Hafi, 45, son of Harez Uddin, was killed in a reported gunfight between two groups of drug traders at Bathangari field in Garabaria village under Kathuli union of Gangni upazila around 2:00am.

In Jhenidah: A suspected drug trader Liton Molla, 35, son of Hakim Molla, resident of Sheikh Para village, was killed in a reported gunfight between two groups of drug traders in Jamtola area of Shailkupa upazila around 2:30am.

Police recovered a shooter gun, three round bullets, 10 bottles Phensidyl and several Yaba tablets from the spot.In Kushtia: A suspected drug trader Halim Mandal, 35, son of Selim Mandal of Baria village in Sadar upazila, was killed in a reported gunfight with police in housing 'D' block field area in the district town around 1:30am.