A journalist was hacked to death by a drug dealer in Majhipara areas om Mymensingh city on Saturday morning.
The victim was identified as Swapan Kumar Bhadra, 55, son of Jagesh Chandra Bhadra of Kakni area at Tarakanda upazila in Mymensingh. He used to live in Majhipara area of Mymensingh city for the last 15 years.
He is former vice president of the Tarakanda Press Club. Bhadra was actively involved with both local and national newspapers. He as involved with the local daily Doinik Swajan. Safiqul Islam Khan,
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kotwali Model Police Station, confirmed the matter of death.
According to police and local sources, Swapan Kumar Bhadra was known for his outspoken stance against terrorism and drug trafficking in the area. He had a long-standing dispute with a local drug dealer and drug addict named Sagar.
Around 11 am on Saturday, while Bhadra was reading a newspaper outside his home, Sagar attacked him with a knife, leaving him with fatal injuries.
Locals rushed him to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. On information, police recovered the body and sent it to the MMCH morgue for autopsy.
Meanwhile, police arrested the attacker in the afternoon for his alleged involvement in the killing. Police primarily suspected that the murder might have occurred as Swapon had posted about the attacker's drug consumption and peddling on his Facebook account at various times.
Police, howevr, are investigating the incident
OC Shafiqul Islam Khan said, “agor tried to flee after the killing. Police later arrested him from Gouripur. They also recovered the blade used in the murder. The others involved in the killing will also be brought to justice, he added.
Family members claimed that Swapan Kumar Bhadra was murdered in connection to his writings againt drug trade. “My uncle has been murdered because of writing posts against narcotics on Facebook. The killers were angry at him for this,” Manik Sarker, a nephew Swapan Bhadra.
About a year ago, there had been also another attack on him. Based on their accusation, police have detained Sagar.
