A 27-year-old businessman was killed and at least 10 people were injured with bullets as the police clashed with businessmen at Taherpur of Baghmara in Rajshahi on Thursday afternoon.
The clash began as the police fired into a procession of apparel traders who brought out a rally protesting at police harassment in the name of checking motorcycles.The deceased was Rubel Hossain, owner of Mohini Garments at Taherpur.
Local people said that the police had set up check points and extorted money in the name of examining
papers of motorcycle owners for about a week.
In protest at police harassment, local traders on Thursday brought out the procession and gathered near the Taherpur police outpost.
People at one point pelted the police with stones and the police charged at them with truncheons, triggering the clash.
The police then fired into the rally to contain the situation in which Rubel died and at least 10 others were injured.
The injured were sent to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. Hasan Ali, owner of Haji Bastralalay, and Firoj were reported to be in a critical condition.
The superintendent of police, Alamgir Kabir, told New Age that the police had fired shots as the local people laid siege to the police outpost. He also said that they were looking into the allegations of extortion and harassment by the police.
-With New Age input
