Gang leader killed in `encounter`

The suspected killer of a ruling Awami League leader has been killed in an alleged encounter with RAB at Abhaynagar Upazila in Jessore. Mezbaur Rahman, leader of a gang named after him, was the prime accused in the murder of Chaitanya Mandal, youth and sports secretary of Ward No 2, Prembagh Union. Mandal had been killed and his body reduced to ashes on Jan 26. His family and local Awami League leaders alleged that he had been killed by the Mezbah Gang. Abhaynagar Police Station’s OC Khabir Uddin said the encounter took place at Shalbon beside the Upazila’s Maloparha at 4:30am on Friday. Mezbaur, 42, is the son of Ramzan Ali Biswas of Magura village in the same Upazila. His chief accomplice and another accused in the Mandal murder case, Rabiul Hossain, 30, was also killed in an alleged gunfight with police on Feb 1. The OC said RAB members had raided Shalban following a tip-off that Mezbaur and his accomplices were holding a meeting there. The terrorists began firing at the RAB, triggering a skirmish. Mezbaur died in the exchange of gunfire. Doctors declared him dead when taken to the Upazila Health Complex, he added. Mezbaur was implicated in several cases, including a mass robbery. – bdnews24.com