KHULNA, Aug 25: The main opposition party leader in a southwestern Bangladesh city was shot dead on Monday, prompting hundreds of his supporters to go on the rampage and attack offices of rival groups.

Awami League president in the city of Khulna, lawyer Monjurul Imam, was shot dead as he was leaving his home for a local court, police said.

A rickshaw puller who was transporting Imam was injured in the shooting and died later, hospital officials said. Another lawyer was also hurt in the attack and admitted to hospital.

The Awami League, in a statement, blamed the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for the killing, which the BNP denied.

Khulna mayor Tayebur Rahman, a BNP leader, released a statement condemning the killing.

After news of the murder, Awami League activists went on the rampage, attacking the home of a BNP lawmaker and the office of the Jamaat-i-Islami, which is part of the ruling alliance, among other targets, witnesses said.

Police fired teargas and used batons to stop the attacks, witnesses said.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

Lawyers also marched through the streets to protest the killing.

The streets of Khulna were deserted, with schools, shops and most offices shutting their doors because of the violence.

Imam, an Awami League veteran and member of the party’s central advisory council, contested the last mayoral election in Khulna but lost to the candidate from the arch-rival BNP of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.—AFP