BNP skeptical about trial of Narayanganj-murder culprits

Its skepticism stemmed from the delay in arresting the three former Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) officers accused in the crime.

“After a long delay, two of the RAB officers were arrested last night,” BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said on Saturday.

Former Lt Col Tarek Sayeed Mohammad, who was Commanding Officer of the Narayanganj-based RAB-11, and former Maj Arif Hossain of the army, were arrested from the Dhaka cantonment around 4am.

The High Court on May 11 ordered police to arrest these two and ex-Navy officer MM Rana. The trio was withdrawn from RAB-11 in Narayanganj soon after the abduction of seven men, including city Councillor Nazrul Islam and senior lawyer Chandan Sarker. After the bodies were found, the army sent them into forced retirement.

“The delay we witnessed in this process and the state protection offered to these men, lead us to doubt whether they will be brought to justice,” he said.

File Photo

File Photo

“We think the procrastination and the lengthy processes are detrimental to proper trial. Many criminals do not get the punishment they deserve due to delayed justice,” Rizvi said.

The BNP leader quoting several newspaper reports claimed that Lt Col Tarek Sayeed was involved in many misdeeds even in the past.

“He tortured people in Laksam. He’s also accused of kidnapping Ismail Hossain, a businessman from Siddhirganj,” he said.

He said even after the Narayanganj murders, abduction and persecution of BNP leaders and activists had not stopped.

“Ziauddin Sentu, a senior vice-president of Juba Dal in Natore, was found dead in Dhaka on Friday. He was kidnapped and killed.”

Source: Dhaka Tribune