A local leader of Jatiotabadi Shramik Dal (JSD), a labour wing of BNP, was stabbed to death by rivals due to a dispute over controlling the transport line in Pekua upazila of Cox’s Bazar.
The deceased was Shahidul Islam Shawkat, 38, son of the late Shafiul Alam of Bholaiyaghona area of Pekua Sadar Union. He was the former general secretary of Sadar Paschim Zone Shramik Dal of Pekua Upazila.

The incident took place in front of Wafda office on the west side of Pekua Bazar at around 10pm on Monday while the victim’s brother Mohammad Shaker, 27, and cousin Mohammad Tarek, 23, were injured, said Pekua Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Ilias. The injured have been admitted to Pekua Upazila Health Complex, he said.
The OC said Shawkat was severely injured by the attack of some miscreants and was taken to Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) where he died. Police are investigating the matter, he added. The body has been sent to the CMCH morgue for autopsy.

Locals said that Pekua Sadar West Zone Labour Party has two groups. One is led by the former general secretary of the West Zone Labour Party, Shahidul Islam, while the other group is led by the former vice-presidents Badiul Alam and Sajjadul Islam. These two parties are followers of Pekua Upazila Shramid Dal Senior Vice-President Mohammad Osman and former acting president Harunur Rashid, respectively.
Since the fall of the Awami League government, both groups were desperate to take charge of the line of CNG, human hauler and autorickshaw workers’ union. As a result, due to their internal dispute, the incident of stabbing took place, locals alleged.