Following the social media video of a freedom fighter being humiliated with a garland of shoes around his neck in Comilla going viral, the victim, Abdul Hai Kanu has gone into hiding and is reportedly no longer in his locality.
In the one-minute, 46-second video, 10 to 12 individuals are seen cornering Abdul Hai Kanu, forcing him to wear a garland of shoes, and threatening to expel him from the area.
He is a resident of Ludiara village in Batisa Union under Chauddagram upazila and a former member of the central Krishak League.
Following the incident, Kanu vacated his residence, reportedly due to safety concerns.
Despite efforts by police, locals and relatives to contact him, he has remained silent and unreachable on his mobile phone.
Unofficial sources indicate that Kanu is currently residing at his daughter’s home in another district.
Further details have not been disclosed for security reasons.
Efforts to reach his son, Awami League leader Biplob, for a comment were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls.
Meanwhile, law enforcement authorities have intensified efforts to apprehend those responsible for the humiliation.
OC ATM Akteruzzaman visited the scene and assured action against the perpetrators.
Additionally, Comilla’s Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) Arafatul Islam inspected the area on Monday.
Although no arrests have been made yet, police have assured that they are working tirelessly to bring the culprits to justice.
Nine cases against Abdul Hai
According to reports, Abdul Hai has been implicated in nine criminal cases, including one of murder and faced accusations of exerting undue influence in the area.
Local sources said that although Abdul Hai is associated with Awami League politics, he supported Mizan, a rival of former Railways Minister Mujibul Haque.
This allegiance led to him being displaced from the area for several years due to Mujibul's influence.
Abdul Hai is also accused of persecuting BNP-Jamaat leaders and activists in the region. Allegations were also raised against him for denying allowances to freedom fighters aligned with opposing political parties.
Chauddagram Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) ATM Akteruzzaman confirmed that Kanu is named in two specific cases, including one of murder.
Kanu himself has publicly claimed to be implicated in nine cases and to have been jailed 14 times.
Due to technical issues in the online system, detailed records of all cases are yet to be retrieved.
