The families of the victims of the sensational seven murder case have told a probe committee that RAB had been involved with the abduction and the killing.
Yesterday, the high-powered government probe committee, formed following a high court order to look into the sensational abduction and killing, yesterday quizzed 25 members of the families of the seven deceased.
The quizzing began around 10am at the deputy commissioner’s office of Narayanganj and continued till 6pm.
The first to go in was slain city panel mayor Nazrul’s father-in-law Shahidul Islam alias Shahid Chairman. He later told journalists that: “We [Nazrul’s family] have told the probe committee that RAB was involved with the incident.”
In reply to a question, he also said he and the other members of his family had mentioned the names of former RAB 11 commander Lt Col Tarek Sayeed Mohammad, Major Arif Hossain and Lt Commander SM Rana.
These three former officers of the army and the navy were removed from the services days after the April 27 abduction of the seven from the port city.
Shahidul also told reporters after the quizzing session that he had been having a sense of insecurity off late because he had been threatened. He however did not disclose anything about who were giving the threats.
Soon after he finished talking to reporters, he left the place on a police car.
Nazrul’s wife Selina Islam Beauty and his brother Abdus Salam also testified yesterday.
On behalf of the family of slain Chandan Sarker, a senior lawyer from the post city, his two daughters Sejuti Sarker and Sushmita Sarker and their husbands Bijoy Kumar Paul and Ranjit Devnath spoke with the probe committee.
Bijoy Kumar is the plaintiff of the case filed in connection with the lawyer’s murder.
He told reporters that: “The probe committee asked us whether we suspected anyone. We told them that we had a suspicion that members from the law enforcement agencies could have been involved, because of the way the murders were committed. After looking at the existing data and reports on news media, we thought that RAB 11 might be involved.”
He also mentioned the names of those three removed RAB 11 officers.
After giving statement before the committee, Hanufa Begum, wife of Chandan’s chauffer Ibrahim, told reporters that: “We have heard that people from the administration were involved with the murder of my husband and the others. My husband knew nothing. He was killed because he drove Sir’s [Chandan’s] car. I believe that if Sir’s family gets justice, I will also get justice.”
Apart from her, Ibrahim’s father Abul Ohab Mia, son Rony, sister Rahima and nephew Shakil testified yesterday.
The next to see the probe committee were slain Moniruzzaman Swapan’s father freedom fighter Haider Ali Khan, wife Morsheda Begum and younger brother Ripon.
“There was a conflict between Nazrul and Nur Hossain centering EPZ business. In the last few months, Nur and his men frisked at least three trucks full of jhut [garment factory wastage]. Since then, Swapan used to say that he was in danger because Nazrul was in danger too. Something bad might happen anytime,” he said.
Ripon also accused Nur Hossain of hiring RAB officials for killing his brother, who was a close associate of Nazrul, and the others.
On behalf of the family of Jahangir, another close associate of Nazrul, his pregnant wife Shamsunnahar Nupur, mother Meherun and brothers Shahjahan and Saju gave statements.
From the family of Tajul Islam, slain friend of Nazrul, his mother Taslima, father Abul Khayer and brother Saiful Islam Raju spoke with the probe committee.
Elder brother Rafiqul Islam and younger brother Saiful Islam Mintu were the ones from the family of slain Sirajul Islam Liton, another friend of Nazrul.
Following eight hours of testifying, probe committee chief Shahjahan Ali Mollah, additional secretary of the Public Administration Ministry, told reporters that: “Today we talked to 25 people from the families of the seven dead victims. We do not want to disclose anything right now for the sake of investigation.”
However, he refrained from making any comment when asked whether it would be possible to make any meaningful progress in investigation without arresting the three removed officers of RAB 11.
The seven-member probe committee was formed on May 5 following an order from the High Court. One of the main tasks of the committee is to find out whether any of the security forces were involved with the abductions and murders.
Nur and Yasin ousted
Siddhirganj upazila unit Awami League yesterday relieved Nur Hossain and Yasin Mia, the two accused in the seven murder cases, from all kinds of organisational duties. Nur was the vice-president and Yasin general secretary of the local unit of the ruling party.
Mojibur Rahman, president of the local unit, said they had also requested the central command of the party to cancel the memberships of the two.
Mass hearing
the Public Administration Ministry yesterday issued a circular announcing a mass hearing to take place at the office of the Narayanganj deputy commissioner on May 12 and 15.
The circular said anyone interested could come over and testify in connection with the seven murder.