Narayanganj public hearing begins

A two-day public hearing to investigate the multiple murders in Narayanganj has begun at town’s Circuit House.

Headed by Md Shahjahan Ali Mollah, additional secretary at the Public Administration Ministry, the committee began interviewing people from 10am Monday.

District lawyer’s association President Shakhawat Hossain and General Secretary Jakir Hossain told the committee they feared that the committee might be misled by the criminals’ side.

Families of the seven murdered victims were present at the Deputy Commissioner’s office to depose before the probe body on Saturday.

The committee headed by Md Shahjahan Ali Mollah, additional secretary at the Public Administration Ministry, was formed to investigate alleged involvement of law enforcers in the murders following a High Court order on May 5.

RAB-11 Commander Lt Col Tarek Sayeed Mahmud was forced to retire along with two other officers over allegations of their involvement in the murders.

Councillor Nazrul and four of his aides were abducted on Apr 27 from near the city’s court premises.

Senior lawyer Chandan Kumar Sarkar and his driver also went missing from the same location, around the same time.

Three days later, six decomposing bodies were found floating on Sitalakhyya River at Bandar Upazila. The body of another victim was recovered from the river the next day.

Shahidul Islam, father-in-law to the slain councillor, claimed RAB officers abducted and killed the victims for Ward-4 Councillor Nur Hossain for Tk 60 million.

Nur Hossain, vice-president of Awami League’s Siddhirganj unit, is currently a fugitive.