A violent episode of political unrest in Natore’s Singra Upazila on Wednesday night has resulted in the deaths of two individuals, including a prominent local political figure and an elderly woman, in what authorities are describing as a politically motivated attack followed by retaliatory arson. The incidents occurred around 11:00 pm in the Kumarpara and Kadamtola areas, near the boundary of Kalom Union.
The first victim, Rezaul Karim, 53, was a well-known figure in local politics. He served as an active leader of the Jatiya Party and held the position of Vice-President of the Arafat Rahman Koko Memorial Council in Natore. In addition, Karim was an assistant professor in the History Department at Bilholati Krimohani Degree College. According to police reports and eyewitness accounts, Karim was attacked while taking a walk near his residence after dinner. Assailants reportedly slit his throat and fled the scene. Local residents recovered his body and rushed it to Natore Modern Sadar Hospital for post-mortem examination.
The subsequent retaliation targeted Abdul Wahab’s house and shop. Abdul Wahab is the nephew of former Awami League General Secretary Alauddin Munshi. During the arson attack, Sabiha Begum, 75, wife of Munshi’s elder brother, was killed, and the property was completely destroyed.
Family members and local political representatives have demanded swift justice. Karim’s niece, and former General Secretary of Kalom Union BNP, Haider Rashid, alleged that leaders from rival political groups were involved in the killing and called for the immediate arrest of the accused, specifically naming Abdul Karim, who is reportedly implicated in several prior murder cases and remains at large.
Shamim Hossain, former Organisational Secretary of Singra BNP, condemned the incidents as the work of “specific local criminals” and urged prompt action from law enforcement agencies. The BNP plans to hold a protest rally at Singra Bus Stand on Thursday at 11:00 am in response to the attacks.
Investigating officer Shafiqul Islam confirmed that post-mortems for both victims are underway, noting severe injuries to Karim’s throat and face. The precise motives behind both the murder and the arson remain under investigation. In response to rising political tensions, law enforcement has intensified security measures and preventive patrols in Natore, while local administration assures the public that all efforts are being made to apprehend the perpetrators swiftly.
Summary of Incidents:
| Incident Type | Victim Name | Age | Position/Role | Location & Time | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | Rezaul Karim | 53 | Jatiya Party Leader, Vice-President, Asst. Prof. | Kalom Union, Kumarpara, 11 pm | Throat slit; post-mortem ongoing |
| Arson | Sabiha Begum | 75 | Wife of Former Awami League General Secretary | Abdul Wahab’s House & Shop | Property destroyed; investigation ongoing |
The twin tragedies have significantly heightened political tension in Natore, raising concerns among both authorities and the general public regarding safety and law enforcement effectiveness in the region.