Rana killing not linked to religion: Govt

Staff Reporter :

The interim government on Tuesday said the killing of Rana Pratap Bairagi has no connection to religion or his journalistic activities, noting that police records show he was previously accused in a murder case.

Speaking to reporters at the Foreign Service Academy on Tuesday evening, Chief Adviser’s Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad said attempts were made to spread misinformation following the killing in Jashore on Monday. “There were efforts in different quarters to portray the incident as religiously motivated and claim that a journalist was targeted,” he said.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam was also present at the briefing.
According to media reports, Rana Pratap Bairagi, acting editor of Narail-based daily BD Khobor, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Manirampur upazila of Jashore on Monday evening. The 45-year-old also owned an ice factory.

Foyez said local police have informed the government that Bairagi had long been involved in extremist political activities and was an accused in a murder case. He added that the area has a history of extremist political disputes involving multiple factions.

“The incident occurred as a result of longstanding rivalries linked to extremist politics. There is no religious or journalistic angle to this killing,” Foyez said, adding that police have launched an investigation and are working to identify and arrest those responsible.