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Published : 27 Dec 2021, 05:55 PM
He breathed his last in hospital care in Dhaka around 5:15 pm on Monday, according to the party’s Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan.
Hazari, who was once considered a strongman in his district, lost his political influence in his final years. He had long been away from Feni, his past stronghold, and published a daily newspaper named Hazarika Pratidin from Dhaka over the past decade.
Born in 1945, Hazari was connected to the Awami League throughout his life. In the years spanning from 1984 to 2004, he held office as the general secretary of the party’s Feni unit.
Hazari was elected the MP of Feni-2 seat three times -- in 1986, 1991 and 1996. He was a constant subject of criticism during these years for leading a ‘reign of terror’ in Feni.
Hazari wielded his power ruthlessly against his political foes within and outside the party alike. Even journalists suffered at his hands.
The BNP labelled him as the “godfather” of Feni. Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader had responded to it, saying Hazari was characterised as such out of “political motivations” by his opponents.
For his notoriety during the 1996-2001 term, his political party came under fire.
The fall of Hazari began in 2001 when he escaped to India after the caretaker government came to power. He was sentenced to jail for a total of 60 years in a series of cases in absentia.
He came back to Bangladesh in February 2009, soon after the Awami League returned to power. The same year, he turned himself in to a Feni court and was imprisoned. He was later freed from jail, thanks to the orders from the High Court that acquitted him of charges.
Caught in controversy, Hazari submitted his nomination paper as an independent candidate from three Feni constituencies in the 10th national election, but it was rejected.
Awami League expelled him from the party at the time, but later roped him back in as a member of the Advisory Council.
