‘Big brother gave nod to get rid of Nazrul’

The authority of Narayanganj Press Club has received a letter which was allegedly sent by Nur Hossain, the prime accused in the Narayanganj seven-murder case.

A letter typed in Bangla font and allegedly signed by Nur Hossain arrived by post yesterday.

Halim Azad, the president of the press club, confirmed the news to the Dhaka Tribune, adding that he had informed the office of the district police superintendent about the letter, immediately after receiving it.

In the letter, Nur apprehended that he might be killed any time.

Addressing the people of Narayanganj, the letter stated: “I never wanted that seven people will be killed. They [Nur did not mention who] did it against my will. This is why I told big brother [Shamim Osman] that I did not do this. Why, and by whose order, RAB did such a monstrous thing, I do not know.

“I fled to India as per big brother’s order,” the letter also read.

Anticipating the possible sufferings of Narayanganj residents, the author of the letter said: “I have considered it very necessary to inform the people of the Siddhirganj as well as Naryanganj about the fact.”

In the letter, the author mentioned that “the current situation resulted from my arrogance and ignorance.”

The letter also included an elaborate narration of the whole context of the abduction and killing, where the author – allegedly Nur – said he had a long standing enmity with Nazrul over establishing supremacy in the area.

The letter also claimed that Nazrul tried to kill Nur several times. “Nazrul even hired professional killers.”

The letter’s author also claimed that he was abducted as per Nazrul’s plot, and was freed on ransom.

The letter further stated: “In recent time, when the rivalry reached its peak, Nazrul managed to get the favours of Mayor Ivy and MP Nazrul Islam Babu. Then I contacted big brother and he asked me to clear off Nazrul from the way.”

The letter also mentioned that when RAB officer Arif was contacted for killing Nazrul, the official also asked whether the “big brother” had given his consent.

“Big brother has settled the money to be paid for killing Ismail [missing since February after being abducted allegedly by RAB] and Nazrul in the presence of the RAB official Arif,” the letter read.

The author of the letter also claimed that RAB officials wanted an additional Tk1 crore for the killing of Nazrul to pay the higher officials, along with the previously set Tk1 crore.

The letter also narrated how Nur along with his associates Shahajahan and Moti collaborated with RAB members to make the killing mission of Nazrul and others successful.

He said: “After the killings, I came to India according to the direction of big brother.”

Despite repeated attempts over phone, the Dhaka Tribune could not reach Narayanganj Police Superintendent Khandakar Mahid Uddin for comments.

Recently, private television station Channel 24 broadcast a phone conversation between Shamim Osman, the ruling party lawmaker from Narayanganj, and Nur Hossain.

During the 103-second-long conversation between Shamim and Nur, the lawmaker asked the fugitive suspect if he had received his message; with Nur replying that he had. Shamim also asked Nur not to worry too much.

The letter, which has reportedly been sent by Nur, also mentioned the phone conversation.

Asked about the authenticity of the letter, Narayanganj Press Club President Halim Azad said: “The letter was signed by Nur Hossain. But we are yet to be sure whether it was really the signature of Nur.

“The envelope shows that one Subrata Poddar from Lily-put Fashion House, 12/1, Marquez street, Kolkata-700016, has sent the letter. It arrived in the afternoon, with a date of delivery on June 9 as sealed by Narayanganj post-office,” he added.

The letter was written in Bangla Sutonni font, which is rare in Kolkata, added Halim.