A journalist was brutally murdered in broad daylight after being lured away from his workplace in Monirampur, Jashore. The attackers shot him in the head and slit his throat before fleeing the scene.

The incident took place on Monday (January 5) evening at the Kapalia Bazar area of the upazila.

The deceased has been identified as Rana Pratap Bairagi (38), son of Tushar Kanti Bairagi of Arua village in Keshabpur upazila. Rana Pratap was the acting editor of a Narail-based newspaper titled Daily BD Khobor. He also owned an ice factory in Kapalia Bazar, Monirampur.

The Incident
According to local witnesses and police, Rana Pratap was at his ice factory on Monday afternoon. Around 5:45 PM, three miscreants arrived on a motorcycle and lured him away from the factory. They took him to an alley in front of the Kapalia Clinic and Diagnostic Center on the west side of the market.

There, the attackers shot him in the head from point-blank range and slit his throat. He died on the spot, and the assailants fled immediately. The brutal murder triggered intense panic among the locals and traders in Kapalia Bazar and surrounding areas.

Police Statement
Upon receiving the news, a team from Monirampur Police Station rushed to the spot. Police sources mentioned that Rana Pratap Bairagi was an accused in four cases—one filed at Abhaynagar Police Station and three at Keshabpur Police Station. However, the details of these cases were not immediately available.

Md. Rajiullah Khan, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Monirampur Police Station, confirmed that the victim was shot three times in the head and his throat was slit. "We are preparing to send the body to Jashore 250-bed General Hospital morgue for an autopsy," the OC added.

He further stated that the motive behind the murder remains unknown. "Investigation is underway to identify and arrest those involved. Legal action is being processed," said the OC.