The peaceful morning of 17 December turned tragic in Ishwardi, Pabna, when Biru Molla, a 65-year-old BNP leader, was shot dead in full public view. The attack took place at Kamalpur in Laxikunda Union and has left the local community reeling from the violence.
Biru Molla, who served as the convenor of the Laxikunda Union BNP, was the son of the late Abul Molla and a respected figure in his village. The accused, Jahurul Molla, is reportedly Biru Molla’s cousin and son of the late Islam Molla. Sources suggest that the motive behind the murder is a longstanding property dispute between the two families.
Rajib Molla, the son of the deceased, explained that Jahurul had been illegally occupying family land for an extended period. “On the night of 16 December, he again removed soil from our riverbank land to sell it illegally. The next morning, my father and I went to ask him about this,” Rajib said. It was then, according to Rajib, that Jahurul allegedly fired at them using an illegal weapon, killing his father on the spot.
Authorities attempted to contact Jahurul Molla for comment, but he was unreachable.
The Officer-in-Charge of Ishwardi Police, Mominuzzaman, confirmed the deployment of additional officers at the crime scene. The victim’s body was taken to Pabna General Hospital for autopsy, and legal proceedings will follow upon submission of a formal complaint.
This incident has sparked discussions about political violence and rural property conflicts. Many locals have expressed concern about the prevalence of illegal firearms and the ease with which disputes escalate into fatal confrontations. Political analysts say that while the conflict appears personal, the public nature of the killing could have wider repercussions for local security and political stability.
Community members have called for urgent government intervention to ensure justice and prevent further bloodshed. Meanwhile, the family of the deceased has vowed to pursue the case rigorously to hold the accused accountable.