‘Non-stop hartal if RAB men not arrested’

Non-stop shutdown would be enforced in the city, if the three accused officials of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) are not arrested within 48 hours, announced the agitated family members of the seven-murdered victims.

They made the announcement at the district court premises on Thursday afternoon after giving deposition before the high-powered probe body.

Extending his support, Narayanganj Ainjibi Somity President Shakhawat Hossain Khan said: “We will extend our moral support, if the family members of the victims call any hartal or other demonstration programmes.”

Shahid Chairman urges the PM to ensure his security

Shahidul Islam alias Shahid Chairman, the father-in-law of slain NCC panel mayor Nazrul Islam said: “We are not afraid of death. We will wait for two more days and will call non-stop shutdown, if the RAB men are not held.”

He alleged that he was continuously getting threats from the RAB officials as he gave a deposition against the three RAB members.

He said: “My life is at risk and I am urging Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to ensure security of my life.”

However, Lt Col Anwar Latif Khan, the newly appointed commander of RAB 11, denied the allegations and said: “Shahid’s allegations are baseless. But, we will investigate the issue.”

NCC panel mayor Nazrul Islam, senior lawyer Chandan Sarker and five other people were abducted on April 27.

On April 28, Nazrul’s wife filed an abduction case against another local Ward Counsillor Nur Hossain, who later managed to flee to Kolkata from within the surveillance net of the law enforcers.

On April 30, the bodies of the victims surfaced in the Sitalakhya river. Autopsy report said they were murdered by professionals.

Allegations rose against three RAB officials to have been involved in the murder in exchange of money – Tk6 crore.

Later, they were sent to force retirement. The home ministry has ordered to arrest them as per a High Court directive.

Source: Dhaka Tribune