Imagine somebody telling you he has gone ‘from rags to riches’ when he is doing illegal business right in front of you.
It is what a settler says though he still earns money by smuggling wood and bamboo after cutting them even illegally at Gachchhabil under Manikchhari Upazila in Khagrachhari.
Abul Kalam alias Razzak Farayezi, who is also chairman of Manichharhi Union Parishad, now owns properties worth Tk 100 million.
More than one person preferring not to be named say Abul Kalam has been involved in illegal businesses like wood and bamboo smuggling.
He has amassed his wealth mostly in the last five years after becoming chairman, they say.
The Dhaka Tribune correspondent has acquired some papers through which it is learnt that Abul Kalam was allotted 210 metric tonnes of food for implementing 40 projects in the last five years.
Rather than implementing the projects, he has misappropriated all, the papers indicate.
Abul Kalam, also a settlers’ leader, is also involved in tender manipulation and land grabbing, but nobody usually dares say anything about it as he becomes harsh with them.
Many ruling party leaders have also been tortured by Abul Kalam’s cadres for speaking out against his illegal business.
Manikchharhi Upazila Awami League General Secretary Mohammad Mainuddin, however, comes out of that circle of people who is afraid of him.
The settlers’ leader has been committing illegal business like wood and bamboo smuggling and extortion in collusion with government officials, police and some ruling party men, he says.
Abul Kalam and his family also own around 150 acres cultivable and hilly land, 50 acres orchards houses, four hino tractors and two cars, he adds.
“Two cases have been recently filed against him by Chhatra League leaders as his men tortured them for speaking up against his illegal trade,” says the Awami League leader.
“But police have not yet taken any action against him.”
Manikchhari Upazila Awami League President Mragya Marma also echoed Mainuddin and says Abul Kalam is doing his illegal business by managing police and other officials, possibly through bribe.
Abul Kalam, however, denied the allegation of illegal business
“I have never been involved in any wood and bamboo smuggling,” he said, adding, “I have, however, bamboo and wood business but I do that in line of law.”
He, however, admits that he had been involved in illegal and criminal activities until 2001.
Asked about so much wealth, he says, “I have amassed this wealth through honest ways like hard labour.”
About beating up ruling party men for speaking out against him, he says, “I have some responsibility as a chairman to keep peace here.”
Manikchharhi police station’s Officer-In-Charge Keshob Chakraborty denied the allegation of not taking any action against Abul Kalam because they get bribe from him.
“We are investigating the two cases on Abul Kalm and his cohorts’s criminal activities. We will take action on our investigation report,” he said.
Background of Abul Kalam: Along with his family, Abul Kalam was settled on five acres of land at Gachhbil village in 1980. He hails from Uttar Khanta Kata of Sharokhola upazila in Bagerhat.
He had then formed a 20-member gang who used to carry out criminal activities like extortion under his leadership.
Abul Kalam and his cohorts had been accused of 17 criminal cases until 2001.
All the cases were withdrawn against them as they had surrendered with two arms to Laxmichharhi army zone under then caretaker government.
