Dhaka: Rivalry over controlling toll collection and ‘jhut’ business had been the major reasons behind the triple murder of Madhya Badda in Dhaka, said police and locals.

Three people were killed and another person sustained bullet injuries as a group of miscreants opened fire on them in Madhya Badda on Thursday.

The deceased are president of ward-6 unit of Awami League Shamsuzzaman Shamsu Mollah, 50, cultural affairs secretary of Dhaka (north) city unit of Swechchhasebak League Mahbubur Rahman Gama, and manager of a local hospital Manik while the injured is senior vice-president of Badda union unit of Jubo League Abdus Salam, 45.

Police said the miscreants opened fire on the four while they were gossiping near the Water Tank at Adarsha Nagar at about 9:30pm, leaving them injured.

Shamsu, Manik and Gama were rushed to United Hospital of Gulshan where the former duo was declared dead while Gama succumbed to his injuries at about 9:30am on Friday.

Salam was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).

Locals said Baul Sumon used to control the garment scrap business as well as toll collection in the area. Police arrested him 3-4 months back on charge of various criminal activities.

He was associated with the local unit of Jubo League, the youth wing of ruling Awami League. Gama, Shamsu, Manik and Salam were his followers.

Baul Sumon was released from jail on bail a few days ago. However, he died of stroke several days back.

After his death, several rival groups were trying to take control of his den from his followers.

As a sequel of the conflict, the rival groups carried out the gun attack on the followers of Baul Sumon -- Shamsu, Gama, Manik and Salam -- while they were gossiping in front of ‘Madhuban Bakery’ near the Water Tank at Adarsha Nagar on Thursday night, said police.

Contacted, Badda Police officer-in-charge Abdul Jalil said the rivals might have been involved in the gun attack on Sumon’s followers. ‘We’re yet to arrest anyone of the miscreants but trying to arrest the killers,’ added the OC.