2 ‘drug peddlers’ killed in M’singh ‘gunfight’

Two suspected drug peddlers were killed in separate incidents of ‘gunfights’ with police in Tarakanda and Trishal upazilas of Mymensingh early Friday.

The deceased were identified as Ali Hossain, 38, son of Shahed Ali of Tarakanda upazila and Swapan Mia, 32, son of Abdul Kuddus of Trishal upazila.

SA Newazi, additional superintendent (crime) of Mymensingh police, said police, acting on information that some drug dealers were sharing their money, conducted a drive around 2:45 am in the area on Tarakanda-Phulpur highway near an auto-rice mill.

Sensing presence of the law enforcers, they hurled brickbats at the police and opened fire on them which forced police to take action in self-defence.

At one stage, police recovered the body of Ali Hossain and 200 pieces of Yaba tablets.

Ali was wanted in 25 cases including that of drug.

In another incident, Swapan Mia, who was wanted in eight cases, was killed in a gunfight with police near Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University in Trishal upazila around 4 am, said Newazi.

Police also recovered 200 pieces of Yaba tablets, 100 grams of heroin and three bullet shells from the spot.

Both the bodies were taken to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital morgue.

With the latest one, at least 116 people were killed in 'gunfights' with members of law enforcement agencies while 37 bodies of suspected drug traders were recovered after reported gun battles between rival groups during the countrywide anti-narcotic drives since May 15.