A case has been dismissed against eight people, including an executive magistrate, in connection with the killing of four villagers by BGB members at the Kalaihata Government Primary School in Baliadighi Union under Gabtali upazila in  Bogura.

Ashadul Sakidar, a relative of slain Alamgir Hossain in Kalaihata village, filed the case in the court of Senior Judicial Magistrate Asma Mahmud on Wednesday. On Thursday, Ashadul Sakidar said they would go to the high court.

The defendants are: Asif Ahmed, Executive Magistrate and Shajahanpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer-in-Charge of Baliadighi Union of Gabtali on January 5, Zakir Hossain, Presiding Officer of Kalaihata Government Primary School Center and Upazila Secondary Education Officer, BGB’s Habildar Shahidul Islam, Naik Ismail Hossain, Lance Naik Boyak. . Moniruzzaman, BNP’s independent chairman candidate (horse brand) Mahbubur Rahman, his ally Enamul Haque and others who lost the election.

According to the case, Kulsum Akhter, a member candidate’s agent, farmer Abdur Rashid, rickshaw puller Alamgir Hossain and vegetable seller Khorshed Akand were shot dead at Kalaihata Government Primary School polling station in Ward 9 of Baliadighi Union in Gabtali. Besides, Sahir Uddin, Abdullah, Mehedi Hasan and Rezaul were injured.

Following the hearing, Judge Asma Mahmud dismissed the case. The plaintiff in the case, Ashadul Sakidar, cousin of slain rickshaw puller Alamgir Hossain, said he would file a case in the high court.

According to local sources, Executive Magistrate Shajahanpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Asif Ahmed refused to count the votes after a smooth day at Kalaihata Government Primary School.

When hundreds of villagers prevented them from taking ballot boxes to the Upazila Sadar, the law enforcers beat the men and women indiscriminately. At that time the villagers got angry and attacked the center and vandalized it. Several vehicles of the administration were also vandalized. The BGB members then fired indiscriminately on the instructions of the executive magistrate. Four people were killed.

As the administration did not provide any information about the casualties, media personnel and intelligence personnel went from house to house late at night and found the bodies of the four people killed in the shooting.

Police later recovered the bodies and sent them to Bogra Shajimek Hospital morgue. Villagers from all walks of life, including freedom fighters in the area, blamed Executive Magistrate Asif Ahmed for the attack and demanded exemplary punishment.

Gabtali Police Station OC Zia Latiful Islam said the autopsy report was not available. No one was harassed or arrested.