Journalist Abdul Hakim Shimul was killed in gunshots fired by Municipal Mayor Halimul Haque Miru during a clash in Shahzadpur upazila of Sirajganj, local lawmaker claimed today.

Miru opened fire during the factional clash of ruling Awami League ignoring the police resistance, the Sirajganj-6 MP Hasibur Rahman told The Daily Star.

While asked how he ascertained about the firing, Hasibur said, “Witnesses and party leaders confirmed me.”

Shimul, 40, who was Sirajganj district correspondent of Daily Samakal, was hit by stray bullets during a ruling Awami League infighting on Thursday. He succumbed to his injuries on way to Dhaka yesterday.

Meanwhile, the namaz-e-janaza of Shimul was held on the premises of Shahzadpur Pilot Model High School around 10:00am today. He will be buried at Madla village graveyard later in the day.

Shimul’s grandmother who could not bear the shock of his death also passed away. Her namaj-e-janaja was also held there this morning.

Abdul Hakim Shimul

Another accused held

Police last night arrested one of accused in a case filed in connection with the killing of Shimul. So far, three of the four accused were arrested in the case.

KM Nasiruddin, son of late Karims Baksh alias Lafa Sarkar, was arrested at his house in Chhoianipara of the upazila, a duty officer of Shahzadpur Police Station, told The Daily Star Online this morning.

Yesterday, police arrested two brothers of Shahzadpur Mayor Halimul following a case filed by an AL activist.

They are Habibul Haque Mintu, secretary of Pabna district unit Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Inu), and Halimul Haque Pintu, an AL activist.

The district’s Superintendent of Police Miraz said the law enforcers were trying to arrest Mayor Miru, who went into hiding soon after the incident.

Health Minister Nasim assures of justice

Health Minister Mohammad Nasim said people involved in the killing of journalist Shimul will be brought to book.

He was talking to journalists after inaugurating an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Pabna General Hospital.

Half-day hartal in Shahzadpur

The half-day hartal enforced by local journalists and Chhatra League activists in Shahzadpur upazila of Sirajganj protesting the killing ended peacefully in the afternoon.

Most of the business establishments and shops were shuttered down during the hartal, our Pabna correspondent reports.

Local people stage a demonstration during hartal on Saturday, February 4, 2017 protesting the killing of Abdul Hakim Shimul, 40, district correspondent of the Bangla Daily Samakal, in Shahzadpur upazila of Sirajganj. Photo: Star