Although locals mourned the recent killing of Fulgazi upazila Chairman Ekramul Haque Ekram, he allegedly had a questionable past that involved accusation of terror charges against him.
According to sources, Ekram got into politics when he was 18. He came under the spotlight and would perpetrate crimes as a member of the “steering committee” led by Joynal Hazari, a former Awami League lawmaker. Ekram was the second in command of the committee formed in 1993 and it became a frightening name in the area.
The key act of the committee was to attack or kill all of Joynal’s rivals. Ekram actually was a contractor and allegedly controlled illegal acts like extortion, tender manipulation and illegal occupation of sand quarries, known as balu mahals, in Feni under the banner of the committee.
Police record says Ekram was also an accused in 25-30 cases, mostly filed in connection with murder. He refrained from any wrongdoing from 2001 to 2009 when Joynal went into hiding following the defeat of Awami League in 2001 elections. During the time, he had either been on the run or behind bars.
When the Awami League assumed power in 2009, Ekram became active and cleared of all the cases filed against him. He then contested upazila polls the same year and was elected chairman.
In the absence of Joynal, Ekram began developing relationship with Awami League leader Nizam Uddin Hazari who established influence in Feni soon after 2001. Nizam became the Mayor of Feni municipality in 2011. Since then, Ekram teamed up with Nizam and began working together.
Both Ekram and Nizam vied to become lawmakers from two constituencies of Feni in the January 5 national elections this year. However, Nizam outperformed Ekram and became the lawmaker of Feni 2. He also became angry with Ekram at the time.
Meanwhile, having failed in the race for becoming lawmaker, Ekram established supremacy in Feni district and was elected the general secretary of Feni Diabetic Samity last year. A section of local Awami League leaders led by Nizam at the time opposed him and put the samity office under lock and key. However, Ekram broke the lock and began attending office there.
Locals said, Ekram in November 2000 killed Jubo League leader Abul Bashar in the same place he was killed and the method was also the same. Bashar was traveling by a human haulier and as soon as he reached Bilashi Cinema Hall, close to where Ekram’s vehicle was set on fire, unidentified attackers stopped the vehicle, shot him and left.
The trial of the murder is yet to be held but locals believe it was an act of vengeance and was directed by Ekram as the two had engaged in feud over establishing supremacy in the area.
Ekram was shot and burnt alive inside his car near the same spot last Tuesday.
The murder stemmed from internal conflict of Awami League over tenders and establishing supremacy, said locals.
