Killings, abductions are increasing at an alarming rate in Lakshmipur.
Killers and kidnappers are mostly remaining out of reach because of the police’s failure to unearth the mystery of the cases.
Criminals are abducting and killing mostly politicians, businesspersons and students posing as members of the RAB or police.
Eighteen killings, 28 women and children abductions and enforced disappearances of two persons, including a BNP leader, took place in three and a half months this year.
Police and locals say criminals shot dead Kamal Hossain, an expatriate, of Boralia in Sadar Upazila’s Datta Para Upazila on April 13, Hamchhadi Union Parishad’s Juba League activist Rabiul Islam on April 3.
Miscreants also shot dead Durgapur village’s Juba League leader Kabir Hossain on March 31 and Ramganj Upazila’s Karpara Union Parisad’s Swechchhashebok League leader Nur Hossain on March 20.
On February 6, Sadar Upazila’s Naldogi village’s Awami League leader Mohammad Ullah was shot, Radhapur village’s microbus driver Sumon was slaughtered on February 8 and another Juba League activist of Lakkhipur village (west)’s was strangled to death on February 1.
Juba Dal activists Didar Hossain, also a listed criminal, Abul Hossain, Shahdat Hossain, Babar Hossain and BNP activist Shakil Hossain died in ‘alleged gunfight’ with RAB on January 22, February 7, 12, and March 17 and 19 respectively.
Besides this, six more killings took place in the district in the last three and a half months.
Meanwhile, 28 persons were abducted over extortions, family feuds and affairs and two others were made to disappear over political conflicts in the current year.
Of them, six abductions took place in January, nine in February, 10 in March and 3 in April until yesterday.
Earlier on March 10, two brothers - Zafar and Bachchu of Sadar Upazila’s Koroitola village were abducted as they refused to pay extortion money. Though Zafar was later freed, Bachchu has ever since been missing, says their family. Asked about this, Datapara Investigation Centre-In-Charge Wahiduzzaman Biswas said they have not yet been able to make any progress in the case though a case was filed with the Sadar police station about this.
On March 9, criminals abducted Abdur Rahim, an office assistant of Kazi Mahmudul Haq Nannu of Sadar Upazila’s Bashikpur village as Nannu refused to pay Tk5,00,000 what they demanded. Ever since, he has also been missing.
Earlier on March 15, Dewapara village’s Jinia Hosna Afroze and her three-year old daughter Sanjida were abducted.
Her mother Ayesha Akter filed a case with Sadar police, but police are yet to make any headway in the case.
On March 4, criminals abducted Mobarak Hossain, an expatriate of Nandanpur village in the same Upazila as he refused to pay any money they had demanded of him.
Posing as members of RAB, criminals abducted Sadar Upazila BNP leader Omar Faruk from one of his relatives’ house at Chittagong’s Patenga on February 3, his family say, adding that they have not yet got him back.
BNP activist and Mandari Union Parishad member Rubel Hossain has been missing since March 29, locals say.
Lakshmipur BNP president Abul Khair Bhuiyan blamed the government for the killings and abductions of those belonging to the party.
“The government is directly or indirectly involved in the killings and abductions. It is also harassing around 28,000 leaders and activists in various cases.”
Lakshmipur Awami League president M Alauddin said, “Criminal groups have emerged due to lack of the party’s coordination.” He, however, did not give any explanation about it.
“They are regularly perpetrating killings, extortions and abductions,” he said, adding, “Peace would not come back here unless illegal arms were recovered.”
Lakhshmipur’s acting Superintendent of Police say, “Law and order is normal here. We have already arrested some terrorists and recovered arms. Efforts are also on to arrest the killers, investigating the cases.”
About the abductions, he says, “Most abductions are related to extortions and affairs and family feuds. But some abductees have already been rescued and efforts are on to rescue others.”
