Senior Assistant Commissioner (RDC) Nazim Uddin—who was recently withdrawn for his involvement in Kurigram journalist Ariful's wrongful incarceration and torture—has yet again picked up another person, allegedly hurling threats at him, only to prove that the punishment handed down to him is not about to stop him from abusing his powers further.
His latest abuse of power occurred on Tuesday just days after the Public Administration Ministry attached him to the ministry and made him an officer on special duty (OSD).
Bishwanath Nama Das, a local fisherman, had just obtained bail from Kurigram court after a mobile court led by Nazim had put him and another fisherman Khalequzzaman Maznu behind bars for 11 months on February 26.
Nazim did not hesitate to pick him up again on Tuesday.
Talking to Dhaka Tribune, Bishwanath said: “Nazim took me to the deputy commissioner’s office, where he threatened me to withdraw the case, saying RAB was looking to kill me in a gunfight. If I wanted to escape I had to leave town.”
Nazim later dropped him off near Khalilganj.
Bishwanath is currently undergoing treatment at Kurigram Sadar Hospital.
A senior official at the Kurigram deputy commissioner’s office said: “DC Sultana Parvin ordered the innocent fishermen’s arrest and incarceration on February 26, as they dared to file a writ petition with the High Court over the lease of Girai Nadi Beel. RDC Nazim executed her orders; he was her right-hand man.
“They have committed many wrongs in the past; you will get to know of them soon,” the official added on condition of anonymity.
Asked about the matter, Nageshwari police station OC Rowshan Kabir said he was not on duty at the station on February 26 and was not aware of any mobile drives that night. “Policemen from the station did not go on any mobile court drives that night.”
Contacted, Nazim said: “I never assaulted Biswanath Nama Das or Khalequzzaman Maznu. DC Sultana Parvin ordered a mobile court drive against the duo and they were punished under Sections 188 and 189 of the penal code for obstructing government operations.”
Whatever happened was Sultana Parvin’s doing, claimed Nazim.
Former Kurigram deputy commissioner Sultana Parvin could not be reached for her comments on the matter.
Earlier on Sunday, three executive magistrates of Kurigram, including Senior Assistant Commissioner Nazim Uddin, were withdrawn following the countrywide uproar sparked by a midnight mobile court drive that jailed a Dhaka Tribune journalist Ariful Islam.
Kurigram DC Sultana Parvin was issued a similar notice the night before.
