At least 12 leaders and activists of the ruling Awami League (AL) and its associate body Juba League have been murdered in the last 13 years in Natore, much to the discomfort of local leaders. They fear if the activists do not feel safe then it might cause trouble for the party at the upcoming polls.
According to sources, Awami League leader Osman Gani was hacked to death on September 3 and many link the murder to another party leader named Razzak. On July 25, the wrist of local Juba League leader Mithun was severed in an attack allegedly in the Bolaripara area by followers of Shimul, a local member of parliament. Five others were also injured in the attack, including Mithun’s brother.
It all began in 2014 when late Md Abdul Quddus became president of Natore district Awami League. Quddus was elected member of parliament five times from Natore-4 constituency. His committee made Shafiqul Islam Shimul, member of parliament from Natore-2, general secretary. Another influential leader, Shariful Islam Ramjan, was made joint secretary. But Shimul and Quddus soon became political foes and at one point the latter was barred from engaging in political activities in the city by Shimul. Both brought various allegations against each other during the time. However, Quddus again became president of the local AL in 2022 but passed away on August 30, 2023. Ramjan was made general secretary in the new committee, much to the dissatisfaction of Shimul and his followers. Enmity between the two sides, as a result, grew over the months. Ahead of the general elections both Shimul and Ramjan are now trying to gain political ground and their enmity has affected six upazilas of the district.
Since 2014, at least 5 Awami League leaders and 7 Juba League leaders have been murdered, which include the killing of Kolom Upazila Parishad Chairman Fazlur Rahman who was shot dead. The same year, Natore municipality leader Mozammel Hoque Majnu was beaten to death by miscreants. Abbas Uddin, vice president of Arjunpur Baramhati Union Parishad Awami League, was murdered two years later. A local ward Awami League leader named Abu Raihan was killed in 2018. Aftab Uddin, general secretary of ward no-1 unit of Awami League under Sukash Union Parishad, was killed in 2022.
Earlier in 2010, another activist of the AL was hacked to death in Bhatapara area of Natore city. Five years later, Siraj Shikder was killed over supremacy. He was the general secretary of ward no-2 of Natore municipality AL. In 2016, Juba League leader Abdur Razzaque was killed. Another Juba League leader Imran was killed in broad day light two years later. Similarly, Juba League leader Jahurul Islam was hacked to death the same year. In 2019, Jamirul Islam was killed in front of his residence in Lalpur. He was president of ward no 9 of Gopalpur municipality AL. The same year, another Juba League leader, Hasan Ali, was hacked to death.
Local leaders attribute all the killings to the infighting between Shimul and Ramjan. When contacted, Shariful Islam Ramjan told Dhaka Tribune that he had no conflict with any party men and blamed intruders from the BNP-Jamaat for all the political killings in the past 13 years. He said that the ruling party will resist such ploys by some local leaders who are defacing the AL.
Former president of Dighapotia Union AL Abdus Salam and General Secretary of ward no-9 of Chhatni Union Parishad, Nurul Islam Nuru, said that local party men are in a dilemma over whom to support. They said that the party will be in big trouble if the situation prevails till the next general polls and urged the central leaders to step in with measures.
Natore Superintendent of Police Tariqul Islam said that the police are always ready to thwart anarchy and they will take legal steps once any incident is reported.