Who is Niazul?
According to residents of Narayanganj City, Niazul rose to prominence with the backing of a local member of parliament. He was part of a group of four men dubbed the “Caliph,” who gained notoriety during the Awami League government’s previous tenure. Among the other three members of the Caliph, two- Mahtab Uddin Lal and Golam Sarwar – have died due to illness. The fourth, Amin Maksud, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in 2010. Narayanganj Nagarik Committee General Secretary Abdur Rahman said Niazul used to live in the city’s Paikpara and worked as a tailor.Also Read- Narayanganj Mayor Ivy on a visit to Ajmer Sharif
“He became a multi-millionaire with the backing of a local member of parliament,” Rahman said. “Niazul was one of the leaders of the MP’s hoodlums. He earned millions through extortion, illegal occupation of land and other criminal activities. Now, we will have to wait and see what the Anti Corruption Commission does,” he added.
Beginnings with Jubo League
Several sources have confirmed that Niazul was involved with Jubo League, the ruling Awami League’s youth front. He rose with the backing of Shamim Osman when the late Nasim Osman was an MP, during military dictator HM Ershad’s regime in 1986. Niazul is an accused in the 1988 double murder of Kamal and Kalam. He secured a small arms licence in 1996 and used to identify himself as a Jubo League activist. He controlled the contractor business of the LGED between 1996 and 2001. Apart from this, he is alleged to be involved in the business of scrapped fabrics, as well as illegal land occupation and other criminal activities.
From rags to riches
Nagarik Committee General Secretary Rahman has dubbed Niazul’s entire family as ‘goons’. “He became a multi-millionaire from being a simple tailor with the backing of a godfather,” Rahman said. “His brother Sweet was killed in crossfire for his criminal activities. The siblings were known criminals in the locality.” Narayanganj Press Club’s General Secretary Sharif Uddin Sabuj concurred. “Niazul and his brother became notorious criminals with the blessing of the Narayanganj godfather. They became owners of buildings, cars, markets and amassed vast wealth through criminal activities,” he said.Also Read- Ivy: I won’t allow hawkers on Narayanganj footpaths
“Sweet was alleged to have committed numerous crimes, including rape and extortion. Nobody dared lodge complaints against them with the police,” Sabuj added. “They earned millions of taka this way, with the support of the same leader. They secured firearms licences and tried to pass themselves on as businessmen.” Salam Mia, a resident of the city’s Chandmari area, also said that Niazul’s whole family was involved in criminal activities. “Everyone is afraid of them,” he said.
What happened on January 16
Ivy and Shamim’s supporters locked horns in the afternoon of January 16, after the NCC mayor announced that she would free footpaths at Chasara of hawkers. Local MP Shamim Osman disagreed with the decision.Also Read- Violence breaks out after Shamim supporters swoop on Ivy
The mayor came to Chasara on foot with her supporters. When they arrived in front of the Mukti General Hospital, Shamim’s supporters and the hawkers hurled bricks at them. At that time, Nizaul fired shots at Ivy and her supporters, who protected the mayor by forming a human shield. Ivy’s supporters soon caught Niazul and beat him. A day later, Niazul filed a case with the sadar model police against 17 people, accusing them of trying to take his weapon and kill him. On January 23, a case was filed against Niazul for the attempt on Ivy’s life.This article was first published on banglatribune.com