Shahidullah was found dead with gashes on his right shoulder and a slit throat in Rajshahi city’s Tanor Upazila. The attack bears the hallmark of previous murders of intellectuals, bloggers and minorities by Islamists in the country.
“His body was recovered after locals called the police around 10 pm on Saturday”, said Abdur Razzak, officer-in- charge, Tanor Police Station.
Initial investigations found that Shahidullah was involved in a property dispute with neighbours which could be a reason of the murder. It seems he was hacked first and then slaughtered,” Razzak added.
Meanwhile Rajshahi’s police chief Nisharul Arif said that Islamists could also be behind the killing owing to its similarity to the murder of liberal Rajshahi University professor Rezaul Karim two weeks ago for which the Islamic State (IS) had claimed responsibility. An investigation has been launched into his Shahidullah’s murder.
Meanwhile, the deceased’s son has sued anonymous people in a case filed with Tanor Police Station. He said his father was a follower of “Torika Ponthi” (a spiritual path) and might have had enmity with followers of other paths.