3 shot, including woman, in ‘drug-trade turf clash’ in Dhaka’s Gendaria

Three people, including a woman, were shot and injured in an alleged clash over control of the drug trade in the capital’s Gendaria area yesterday evening (30 August).

The incident took place around 7:30pm in the Karatitola area of Gendaria, according to Gendaria Police Station.

The injured were identified as Ayesha Akter, 20, Alamgir, 33, a tea-stall owner, and Siam, 18.

The three were receiving treatment at the DMCH emergency department, said Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH Police Camp.

Siam sustained a gunshot wound to the left side of his chest, Alamgir was shot in the head and Ayesha was shot in the right leg, he said.

According to a Gendaria police report, the incident stemmed from a dispute over control of the local drug trade.

The report alleged that Monir Hossain, an active member of the BNP’s Ward 40 unit, and his nephew Russell assaulted another Russell, who is allegedly involved in the drug trade and is the uncle of an alleged arms-carrying drug dealer known as Auto Sajal, who is currently in jail.

The report further alleged that Monir then used an illegal pistol to fire indiscriminately in the area after cutting off the local electricity supply. He and his nephew subsequently fled the scene.

However, the police report identifies the injured as Ayesha, Rubel and Russell, while the DMCH police identified the injured as Ayesha, Alamgir and Siam.

The DMCH police said the matter had been reported to the relevant police station and legal action was being processed.

Gendaria police said the overall situation in the area was currently normal and that legal proceedings were underway.