A local Awami League leader was beaten to death in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram district, with family members and local sources alleging involvement of activists linked to BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. The incident has intensified concerns over political violence and the safety of individuals associated with the former ruling party.
The killing took place within hours of the current regime enacting a law that effectively formalized the ban on the Awami League, raising fresh concerns about democracy and political pluralism. The timing of the incident has further heightened political tensions on the ground.
The deceased, Mohammad Shamim, was the organizing secretary of Ward No. 9 unit of the Awami League in Sitakunda municipality. He was the son of Abul Mansur of Shibpur. The restrictions on Awami League activities since the political transition in August 2024 have placed many grassroots leaders in an increasingly vulnerable and exposed position.
According to local residents, Shamim had been staying at his in-laws’ house in the Madhyabhaterkhil area under Muradpur union for some time. On Wednesday night, a group of individuals reportedly called him outside the house, after which he went missing.
Confirming the incident, Sitakunda Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Mohinul Islam said police recovered Shamim’s body around 1:00 a.m. on Thursday after receiving a call through the national emergency hotline 999.
“The victim was called out of the house by some individuals. Later, we recovered his body from the area,” the officer-in-charge told reporters at the scene early Thursday. He added that the tendons of Shamim’s legs had been severed, indicating a particularly brutal and targeted killing.
The body was sent to Chattogram Medical College Hospital morgue for a post-mortem examination.
Police officials said preliminary findings suggest the killing may have been linked to previous enmity. Two individuals have already been arrested on suspicion of involvement, and further investigation is ongoing.
However, family members and local sources have raised serious concerns about the broader context surrounding the killing.
Shamim’s brother, Md. Selim, said that his sibling had been living under constant fear due to his political identity. “He was in hiding for a long time because of his affiliation with the Awami League and was facing financial hardship,” Selim said while speaking to journalists at the hospital premises on Thursday.
A pattern of fear and vulnerability
The killing comes against a backdrop of increasing reports of violence, intimidation, and legal pressure targeting individuals associated with the Awami League since the political changeover in 2024.
Rights groups have documented a series of incidents involving attacks, arrests, and alleged harassment of political activists at the grassroots level. In many cases, those targeted are local organizers with limited protection or visibility, making them particularly exposed to risk.
Security analysts warn that such incidents are contributing to a growing climate of fear, especially in semi-urban and rural areas where political rivalry often intersects with personal disputes.
While law enforcement agencies frequently attribute such killings to “previous enmity,” critics argue that this explanation often overlooks the broader political environment in which these incidents occur.
Questions over law enforcement and accountability
The brutality of Shamim’s killing has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement and the state’s ability to prevent targeted violence.
Despite the arrest of two suspects, local residents say they remain concerned about whether the full network behind the killing will be identified and brought to justice.
Observers emphasize that accountability in such cases is essential not only for justice but also for restoring public confidence in the rule of law.
Political climate under scrutiny
Since the ouster of the previous government in August 2024, Bangladesh has experienced a shifting political landscape marked by heightened tension and uncertainty.
Rights organizations and observers have reported a deteriorating human rights situation, including widespread arrests, politically sensitive cases, and pressure on opposition figures and supporters of the previous administration. Reports of prolonged detention without trial have further intensified concerns.
The formalization of the ban on the Awami League has added a new dimension to these concerns, raising questions about political inclusivity and the future of democratic competition in the country.
Analysts warn that unless credible safeguards are put in place, incidents like the Sitakunda killing could deepen political polarization and further destabilize local communities.
Investigation continues
Police say the investigation is ongoing and that no possible motive has been ruled out. Authorities are awaiting the post-mortem report, which is expected to provide further clarity on the cause of death.
For now, the killing of Mohammad Shamim stands as a stark reminder of the fragile security situation facing grassroots political activists and the urgent need for a more effective and impartial response to violence.
