Bangladesh NCP student leader Muhammad Motaleb Sikdar shot in head days after Osman Hadi’s death

Bangladesh student leader shot in head

Bangladesh reported another incident of political violence on Monday, days after the killing of Inqilab Manch spokesperson Usman Hadi, as unidentified gunmen shot a senior leader of the student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) in Khulna.

Muhammad Motaleb Sikdar, a central organiser of the NCP’s labour wing, Jatiya Sramik Shakti, was shot in the head while preparing for a divisional labour rally scheduled to be held in the city, Bangladeshi media reported.

Saif Nawaz, an organiser of the NCP’s Khulna metropolitan unit, said Sikdar serves as the party’s Khulna divisional convener and a key figure in its labour organisation. He was reportedly engaged in mobilisation activities for the upcoming rally when the attack took place.

Police confirmed that Sikdar sustained a gunshot wound to the left side of his head and was immediately taken to Khulna Medical College Hospital before being shifted to a private diagnostic centre for a CT scan.

“Miscreants opened fire targeting his head around 11:45 AM, and he was rushed to Khulna Medical College Hospital in critical condition,” Animesh Mondol, officer-in-charge (investigation) of Sonadanga Model Police Station, was quoted as saying.

Mondol later said the victim was out of danger, explaining that the bullet entered through one side of his ear, pierced the skin and exited from the other side.

Animesh Mandal, Inspector (Investigation) at Sonadanga Police Station, said further investigation into the shooting is underway.

The National Citizen Party was formed earlier this year following the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Launched on February 28 by the Students Against Discrimination and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, it is Bangladesh’s first student-led political party.