Former Swechchhasebak Dal leader Billal Talukdar was killed over the collection of waste and electricity bills from shops adjacent to Anarkali Market in Dhaka's Mouchak, police and party insiders confirmed.
According to police, followers of Ramna Thana Jubo Dal leader Riazul Islam Babu had been regularly collecting electricity bills from several shops near the market’s main building -- a practice opposed by Thana BNP President Ashraf and his supporters, including Billal.
A meeting was convened on Monday to resolve the dispute, but during the arbitration, Babu’s followers stabbed Billal following an altercation, said Officer-in-Charge of Rampura Police Station, Mohammad Rahat Khan.
Police reported that the conflict began when Billal’s nephew, a shop owner, objected to outsiders collecting electricity bills.
A meeting was called in the evening, during which Billal was reportedly stabbed. Immediately after the incident, the Jubo Dal committee was dissolved and Babu’s follower Riazul was expelled.
Two people, including ward-19 Jubo Dal Convener Al Amin and Riazul, were arrested in connection with the killing.
Billal’s widow, Ambia Khatun, has since filed a murder case naming 21 individuals and accusing 27 unidentified others. During a visit to Anarkali Market today, posters of Riazul were still visible on the market walls, though shopkeepers were reluctant to discuss the murder.
Local sources and eyewitnesses said disputes between Jubo Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal leaders over control of footpaths and alleged extortion in Anarkali Market and Mouchak area had been ongoing.
A week earlier, an arbitration meeting was held to settle the matter, where it was decided that no extortion money would be collected. On the day of the incident, Siraj and Riazul were reportedly collecting money from footpath shops when Billal’s nephew protested and was beaten.
A senior official of the DMP’s Ramna Division confirmed Riazul’s arrest from Munshiganj, saying initial findings suggest he stabbed Billal.
Ramna Thana BNP President Ashraf claimed the killing was “planned murder.” He said, “We took a stand against extortion. A few days ago, the matter was resolved at the MP’s residence. It was decided there that no extortion money would be collected in this area.”
BNP sources said Babu is a follower of a central Jubo Dal leader, under whose influence extortion money was collected. Jubo Dal Central Committee Joint Secretary Rabiul Islam Noyon stated, “Babu has been involved in Jubo Dal politics for a long time. However, we were not aware of the extortion. After learning about the incident, we dissolved the committee and expelled Babu.”
