Local AL leader Belal held for Fulgazi mayor murder

Police have arrested a local Awami League (AL) leader on charges of his suspected involvement in the murder of Fulgazi Upazila Chairman Ekramul Haque in Feni town. Belal Hossain Patwari, 48, was arrested in Khagrachhari’s Matiranga around 2:30am on Thursday, said Matiranga Police Station OC Mainuddin Khan. Patwari worked as a personal assistant to the slain Upazila chairman, locals said. Ekram’s supporters set Patwari’s Anandapur house in Fulgazi on fire on Monday, insisting that he was involved in the plan of the murder. OC Mainuddin Khan said Feni Model Police Station OC Mahbub Morshed told him that Patwari was one of the masterminds of the killing. Ekramul Haque, president of AL Fulgazi unit, was killed in a brazen daylight attack at Feni Sadar on May 20. Assailants blocked his car, opened fire on the vehicle and set it ablaze with the chairman trapped inside. So far 22 people have been arrested for the gruesome killing, according to bdnews24.com.