Dhaka, May 23 (bdnews24.com)—Investigations suggest Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) did not fire point-blank at.Jhalakati college student Limon Hossain in the leg, the paramilitary force has claimed.
RAB media and legal wing director Mohammad Sohayel on Monday told reporters reports of three inquiry committees—two by RAB and one by local administration—have reached them.
"In those reports, there is no evidence that Limon was shot at point-blank range in the leg. This shows that Limon was hit by bullet during a shootout," he said.
The media briefing, arranged at the city's Uttara on law and order, was also attended by RAB director general Mokhlesur Rahman.
Limon has claimed he had been shot at point-blank range in the left leg which had to be ampulated later.
A home ministry committee is also investigating the incident. Its chief, additional divisional commissioner of Barisal, Mohammad Shawkat Akbar on Sunday sent a letter to the ministry seeking more time for further probe.
Limon got bullet-wounded at Jamaddarhat under Rajapur Upazila of Jhalakathi on Mar 23. In this connection, RAB filed two cases against Limon later.
The family of Limon alleged in April that law enforcers were trying to prove him a miscreant.
At a news briefing at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Saturday morning, they also alleged that RAB, through their local sources, were threatening those backing Limon.
Limon, who used to work in a brick kiln, was shot purportedly by a team of the elite force in his leg after taking him to a place adjacent to his house at Jamaddarhat in Rajapur Upazila of Jhalakati on Mar 23.
The incident took place less than a fortnight before his Higher Secondary Certificate examinations were set to begin.
His leg was amputated after the incident which drew widespread criticisms, as the media and people raised the allegation of human rights violation by the paramilitary force.
RAB on the same day filed two cases against the teenager under the arms act and making attempts to murder and injure RAB personnel.
Echoing prime minister's defence advisor Tarique Ahmed Siddique who on Thursday told the media that Limon and his father had close ties with criminals, home minister Shahara Khatun earlier in the day said it was a government statement.
"I'm cent percent sure that Limon was not RAB's target. When RAB went to capture criminal Morshed Jamaddar, he (Limon) tried to run away and received RAB-fired bullets in the leg," the advisor had claimed.
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