When over a hundred people involved in the massive yaba trade surrendered to the police on Saturday, the question on everyone’s mind was: “Where is Bodi?”
Abdur Rahman Bodi, former MP from Cox’s Bazar’s Ukhiya and Teknaf, is widely believed to be a lynchpin in the drug scene. On every list compiled by the Home Ministry and the Department of Narcotics Control, Bodi’s name and that of his family members, have been commonplace. Yet, he was never charged with anything. Moreover, the historic surrender on Saturday was largely Bodi’s endeavour. Hence his absence was noticeable, and the rumour mill began to work overtime.
Bodi’s involvement in organizing the surrender comprised of him publicly calling for drug dealers to turn themselves in, issuing ultimatums, and touring his former constituency. About a month ago, numerous drug dealers, including close family members of Bodi, including his four brothers, several cousins, and nephews, went into police custody – with them staying in palatial homes built with drug money – before the day of surrender.
Due to the involvement of his kin, and the numerous allegations surrounding him, many speculated that Bodi would also be surrendering. But surrender or not, his absence prompted questions.
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Teknaf police station Officer-in-Charge, Pradip Kumar Das, said: “Was this a wedding that he had to be invited? Invites were not under our purview. The district police chief handled that.
When asked, Additional Superintendent of Police Iqbal Hossain said: “There is no rule that says we have to invite him [Bodi]. We invited the sitting MP, Shaheen Akhter, who is Bodi’s wife.”
Teknaf Awami League General Secretary, Nurul Bashar Chowdhury, guessed that Bodi’s presence could have led to people casting aspersions on the mass surrender of drug dealers, the first of its kind in Bangladesh.
However, numerous sources in Teknaf who are reluctant to disclose their identities have offered another possibility. Bodi appealed to the local police, local Awami League office, and even the Home Ministry for an invite. He is reported to have embarked on a lobbying mission, which did not yield any fruit. A number of these sources lamented his absence at the surrender, citing his personal involvement in organizing the whole event and not being present to take any credit.
Neither Bodi nor his wife, the sitting MP, could be immediately reached by the Dhaka Tribune. Bodi’s personal secretary, Helal Uddin, also claimed to be ignorant about the invite.