Ex-BCL leader stabbed dead in Pabna

PABNA, Sept 2: Leaders and activists of Awami League and its front organisations blocked an approach road of Pakshey Lalon Shah Bridge on the Ishwardi-Kushtia highway, which links the country's northern and southern districts, for five hours on Tuesday protesting killing of a former BCL leader in Pabna.

The protesters also vandalised at least 25 vehicles near the bridge in Ishwardi Upazila of the district during the blockade.

 Miscreants stabbed Rafiqul Islam Lavlu, former secretary of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) Pakshey unit, and fled the scene taking his motorcycle near the bridge around 11:30pm on Monday.

Lavlu was rushed to the Ishwardi Upazila Health Complex. As his condition deteriorated, doctors referred him to Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital but he died on the way around 3:00am.

As the death news spread, the leaders and activists of ruling AL and its youth front organisations Jubo League and BCL blocked the road, halting road communication between northern and southern districts around 6:00am.

A chase and counter- chase occurred between the police and the agitators when law enforcers rushed to the spot and tried to disperse the AL men, witnesses said. None was hurt during the chase and counter -chase.