Shamim Osman’s gun-wielding follower Niazul files GD against Ivy’s supporters

AKM Shamim Osman MP’s supporter Niazul Islam Khan, who was seen brandishing a pistol in photos of Tuesday’s clashes in Narayanganj, has filed a general diary or GD at a police station while the law enforcers say they are looking for him.

Narayanganj Superintendent of Police Moinul Haque admitted on Thursday night that Niazul filed the GD at Narayanganj Sadar Police Station on Wednesday alleging that he lost the pistol in an attack by supporters of Mayor Selina Hayat Ivy.

“Police are investigating his complaint after registering it as a GD,” Moinul said.

The SP, however, ducked questions as to whether Niazul himself went to the police station or sent a representative.

“The attempt to arrest gun-wielder Niazul and bring him to justice is on. Police are searching for him,” Moinul said.

After the clashes on Tuesday, Ivy questioned the ‘silence’ of law enforcers and administration when she came under attack.

She also demanded resignation of Moinul and Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner Rabbi Miah.   

Abdur Rahman, general secretary of Narayanganj Nagorik Committee, an organisation of citizens, has livid with the authorities for their passive roles.

“Gunman Niazul is still at large two days after the incident. Yet he has filed a complaint with police against Mayor Ivy and those who were injured in attack,” he said.

“It has made it clear that the authorities are acting biased,” he added.

Niazul wielding a pistol during the clashes

In the GD, Niazul accused 17 of Ivy’s supporters of beating him up when he was on his way to the Narayanganj Club that day.  

He also alleged the suspects snatched away his pistol when he pulled it out in self-defence.

The accused include contractor Abu Sufian, city corporation councillors and Ivy’s relatives.

Ivy earlier alleged Shamim wanted her killed and sent one of his henchmen, Niazul, to carry out the mission during the clashes.

“It will be revealed on whose orders Niazul came to kill me if the police arrested and quizzed him,” she told reporters on Wednesday, recalling how Niazul wielded a gun only a few yards from her.

Shimim, however, denied the allegation, saying Niazul was not a goon and he wielded his pistol in self-defence.

He also alleged one of Ivy’s supporters, contractor Sufian, was seen carrying a gun during the clashes.

“Why should Sufian carry a pistol in his waist?” Shamim asked and showed a photo backing his claim at a press conference on Wednesday.

He, however, did not hand the photo to the journalists.

Ivy, injured in an attack during the clashes, fell ill suddenly on Thursday and was hospitalised in Dhaka.

Narayanganj Mayor Selina Hayat Ivy speaks to the media at her office on Wednesday, a day after clashes erupted between her supporters and those of lawmaker AKM Shamim Osman.

Awami League MP AKM Shamim Osman speaks at a press conference at Narayanganj Rifles Club on Wednesday, a day after his supporters clashed with the adherents of Mayor Selina Hayat Ivy in the city.

Narayanganj district administration has formed a committee to investigate the clashes over eviction of hawkers from pavements.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said in Dhaka earlier on Thursday that the authorities were using video footages to identify those who carried guns during the clashes.  

Tuesday’s clashes erupted when Ivy and her supporters went to Chashara after Shamim said he would put the hawkers back on the pavements.

The rivalry between Ivy and Shamim stems from the dispute between their families, which dates back decades.

The quarrel peaked when both of them ran for city mayor in 2011.

Shamim announced his support for Ivy on orders from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the last polls to the city corporation in 2016.

The duo, however, have continued to be at each other’s throats on several occasions.

LGRD Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain said on Wednesday he thought the clashes took place due to the bad blood between Ivy and Shamim.

The Awami League has summoned the duo to the capital to give their explanations about the incident.