Awami League chief Hasina, three journalists charged with murder in Bogura

As many as five murder cases have been filed against Sheikh Hasina in the last 11 days in Bogura

Deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and three local journalists have been accused in a case over the death of a youth during the Anti-discrimination Student Movement in Bogura.

The case was filed in Bogura Sadar Police Station by Shimu Begum, the wife of Md Shimul, who was killed during the Anti-discrimination Student Movement.

According to Saihan Oliullah, the chief of the police station, 300 to 400 unidentified individuals have been made defendants in the case in addition to the 135 accused.

The three local journalists accused in the case are – Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists Central Vice President and Daily Janakantha Staff Correspondent Mahmudul Alam Noyon, Independent Television Bureau Chief of northern Bangladesh Hasibur Rahman Bilu, and Bogura Union of Journalists President and Daily Kalerkantho District Correspondent J M Rauf.

In addition to allegations of murder, claims of explosives attacks have also been brought against them.

As many as five murder cases have been filed against several Awami League leaders including Hasina within 11 days in Bogura.

According to the case dossier, several defendants attacked the student protests in Bogura’s Jhautala area around 11:30am on Aug 4 with pistols, rifles and other local weapons following the orders of Hasina, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan. It also adds that the attackers were led by former parliament member Mojibor Rahman, and Ragebul Ahsan Ripu.

The case dossier reveals that the three local journalists attacked the protesters with hand explosives.

Shimu also claims that her husband went ahead to protect the students during the attack.

At that time, Bogura City Awami League President Rafi Newaz Khan, District Awami League Vice President T Zaman, Abdul Mateen Sarker and the other accused opened fire at the protesters.

Shimul fell to the ground after being shot in the chest. The attackers reportedly left the spot after confirming that he was dead.

Later, Shimul was taken to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College where the doctors declared him dead.