Amid violence following the killing of Inqilab Manch spokesperson Usman Hadi, Bangladesh faced another high-profile shooting when unknown gunmen attacked a senior leader of the student-led National Citizen Party (NCP). Muhammad Motaleb Sikdar, a key figure in NCP’s labor organization shot in the head in Khulna district, according to Bangladeshi media reports.
Bangladesh student leader shot dead before elections
The incident happened around 11:45 am on Monday at a house in the Sonadanga area of the city, as reported by the Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo. Saif Nawaz, an organizer of the NCP’s Khulna metropolitan unit, stated that Sikdar is a central organizer and the Khulna divisional convener of the NCP’s labor wing, Jatiya Sramik Shakti.
He was in the mid of organizing a divisional labor rally for the party in Khulna, that set to take place soon, when the attack occurred. Sikdar was shot on the left side of his head and is now receiving treatment at a hospital, according to the report.
Political Violence Erupts
Last week, Bangladesh experienced violent protests nationwide after the death of radical leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Hadi, 32, who known for his strong anti-India rhetoric, gained prominence during Bangladesh’s 2024 student uprising, which led to the removal of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
He shot by masked attackers on December 12 while campaigning for the upcoming elections in Dhaka. After initial treatment in Dhaka, Hadi, in critical condition airlifted to a hospital in Singapore for further care, where he died from his injuries on December 18.
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