Firings terrorise Kuakata locals, tourists

Shots fired by members of a human-rights organisation have terrorised the local people and tourists in Kuakata, a tourist hotspot in Patuakhali – a south-western coastal district. Police, quoting locals said members of Bangladesh Manabadhikar Commission (BMC) fired from their guns at Lebur Bon in Kuakata Sea Beach on Saturday night. The shooting sent a panic wave in Kuakata area. Local people and tourists said they thought it was an act of pirates. Being informed, a team from marine police post in Kuakata rushed to the spot and confiscated the firearms and their licences from a group of motorcyclists who claimed to be the members of the BMC. Patuakhali Superintendent of Police Syed Mushfiqur Rahman said: ‘Firing in the air this way is illegal. That’s why their firearms and licences have been confiscated. Next steps will be taken after looking into the matter.’ Jubo League’s West Kuakata Ward-1 unit Sultan Bepari said 20-25 unknown people came in 10-12 motorcycles from Kuakata Zero Point to Lebur Bon and suddenly started firing in the air. ‘They went back to Kuakata after firing around 20 shots. It (firing) panicked the tourists and locals,’ he added, according to bdnews24.com.