Bangladesh is now burning in the fire of political vendetta of BNP-Jamaat Alliance. Bangladesh has been experiencing politically motivated monstrous violence that started after the fraudulent election. Now it has turned into a planned killing spree of Awami League leaders and activists. Among the victims of vendetta are the popular Awami League Leader of Natore, Momtaz Uddin, Ex-Whip in the parliament Mujibul Haq of Comilla, Abdul Hai MP of Jhenidah and Student League leader Saiful Rasul Palash of Dhaka.

6^th June, Natore

Brutal murder of Momtaz Uddin

On 6^th June 2003 former MP of Natore-1 constituency, a freedom fighter belonging to Awami League was killed in the hands of BNP terrorists.

Mr. Momtaz Uddin was attacked by the terrorists when he was returning home in a Motor Cycle after attending a district Awami League meeting held in Muslim  Institute Hall, Natore. At 10.15 PM about 10-12 miscreants put up a barricade in his way near Darpara village on the Gopalpur-Abdulpur Road of Lalpur. As he fell down, he was mercilessly struck with big choppers and Chinese axe. He gave his identity and begged for his life but in vain.

His two companions, Sikander Ali and Saiful Rasul tried to stop the attack. Sikander Ali was hard hit in hand by Chinese axe and Momtaz Uddin was fatally injured. He died at 1 AM on his way to Rajshahi Medical Hospital. His death news spread like wildfire and thousands of people gathered at Lalpur and Awami League office at Natore. About 1 lac mourning people attended the funeral prayer on 7^th June at local Karimpur High School ground. This also turned into a massive protest against the dastardly killing. Awami League General Secretary Mr. Md. Abdul Jalil MP, Presidium Member Mr. Tofail Ahmed and other central leaders rushed to Lalpur and addressed the vast gathering.

On 8^th June a spontaneous general strike was observed in Natore District at the call of Natore District Awami League against this heinous killing and protest rallies were held in Dhaka on 9^th and throughout the country on 10^th June.

It has been ascertained form the various reliable sources that the State Minister for Youth and Sports Mr. Fazlur Rahman MP of this area is involved in this killing. Before the October 2001 election, Jubo League worker Sumon and student League leader Khannas were killed by BNP terrorists. A case was started and investigation against the alleged killers was going on. On the recommendation of the State Minster Fazlur Rahman names of several miscreants under investigation were struck off the list of accused persons in the case and 10 alleged killers were set free. Momtaz Uddin protested and became the eyesore of the miscreants and their godfathers. It is believed that Momtaz Uddin was murdered at the direction of the patron of the miscreants Fazlur Rahman.

9^th June, Comilla

Attempt on the life of Mujibul Huq

An attack was made to kill former Whip Mujibul Haq and Organizing Secretary Comilla District Awami League on 9^th June at midnight. After attending the condolence meeting held for late Momtaz Uddin of Natore and local Leader Kazi Ferdous Alam Faruq Mr. Mujibul Haq went to his chamber at Nazrul Islam Avenue, Comilla. When returning home from there at about midnight in a rickshaw he was attacked by unknown miscreants near Farida Vidyatan. He lost 2 teeth and got one eye badly damaged due to indiscriminate and merciless beatings by his assailants. His loud screams attracted the neighbours and the assailants left the place. He was saved and took shelter in a near-by house of a Juba League worker. He was rushed to a local clinic and then moved to Shikder Hospital at Dhaka the next morning when his condition deteriorated. Badly injured, Mujibul Haq, is threatened with permanent loss of one eye.

In protest of this cowardly attack and attempt on his life, a general strike was observed in Comilla at the call of Comilla Awami League.

19^th June, Jhenaidah

Attack on Abdul Hai M P

On 19 June a peaceful demonstration of protest against the killing spree of Awami League leaders and workers in Jhenidah was attacked by a large band of miscreants belonging to BNP students and youth fronts at 7 AM. They stabbed Abdul Hai MP and also injured Mahmudul Islam Foton, President of District Jubo League and Awami League leader Krishna Datta. Mr Abdul Hai had to take shelter in a near-by police station to save himself. Instantaneous protest demonstrations followed the incident and the situation remained very volatile throughout the day. AL MPs staged a walk-out to protest this incident later in the evening.

16^th June, Dhaka

Murder of Saiful Rasul Palash

The recent killing of Saiful Rasul Palash, General Secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan Student League on 16^th June is another addition to the atrocious killing spree. It is, indeed, disquieting to observe that the matter has taken a new dimension. Important leaders of high stature of Awami League and its Associate Organizations have become the target now. Mr. Palash was shot dead by the miscreants in his brother’s shop at Kallyanpur Bus stand at Dhaka.

10^th June, Fakirhat

Murder of Atahar Ali

On the other hand Atahar Ali, Chairman of Bahirdia Union Parishad of Fakirhat Upazila, a freedom fighter and a popular elderly Awami League leader was killed by the miscreants on 10^th June. He was hit with chopping implements and shot at on 10^th at 9.45 PM when he was returning home after his Esha prayer. He was shot many times by three miscreants who came by motor cycle and he died in his own residence at Satbaria. Then 10-12 persons who were hiding nearby came and two of them repeatedly hit his throat with chopper to ensure his death.

More blood, more killings :

To this can be added a long list of attacks on Awami League leaders as well as numerous other leaders and workers of associate organizations such as Sudent League or Youth League. Some of them are listed below:

*      Akbar Sultan, Vice-President, Student League, Sylhet Govt. College was killed on 7^th July.

*     Subodh Pal, Leader, Dhaka District Student League, Ex- General Secretary of Dhaka College, died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on 12^th January, after one & half months detention by Army.

*      Jubo League leader Nurul Islam was shot dead on 17^th January, at Baunia Barrage Area of Pallabi, by the miscreants on the allegation that he helped the arrest the terrorists.

*      Azim Khan, Vice-President of Jubo League, No. 6 Municipal area, Rajbari was chopped to death on 27^th January by the miscreants at his own house.

*      wami League worker Rezaul Islam of village Murari Daha, Jhenaidaha Municipal area was shot dead on 31^st January in front of his house.

*      Faruque Mahmud Siddiqui Assistant Secretary of Chittagong North District Unit of Awami League was killed on 12^th February by brushfire of Shibir cadres.

*      K. N. Barua Anik, Ward President of Kalaghata Jubo League, Bandarban town was mercilessly killed. His headless body was recovered on 18^th February from Shankha River.

*      Awami League leader of Gangni Upazilla, Meherpur & ex-UP Chairman, Bazlur Rhaman was killed by brushfire on 2^nd March.

*      Masum, Student League President of Gazirhat Union, Dighalia Upazilla, Khulna was called from his house and killed with sharp weapons on 28^th March at night only 100 yards from his house.

*      Alauddin, an Awami League leader of Bangabaria, Maligasha Union, Pabna Sadar Upazilla was shot dead on 8^th April in his own house when he was asleep.

*      Sirajul Islam, an Awami League Leader and Primary School teacher of Village Jirian, Sahebad Union, Upazilla Brahmanpara, Comilla was shot dead by armed miscreants on 30^th April at night.

*      Abdus Shahid, Luxmipur District Awami League Leader and ex-General Secretary of District Student League was abducted and cruelly killed. His dead body was recovered on 5^th June.

*      Saiful Islam, a local Student League leader of Kochiamora Village, Bauria Union, Sandwip, Chittagong was killed by the miscreants on 6^th June in front of his own house.

*      Saifuzzaman Babu of Saradangi, Upazila Ataikula Pabna, an Awame League leader was chopped to death on 8^th April at night.

Countrywide Protest: General Strike

Countrywide protests have been observed against these barbarous killings and murders. A countrywide general strike was observed on 12^th June from 6 AM to 2 PM to protest the utter failure of 19 months-old BNP-Jamaat Government. The Government is accused of perpetrating lawlessness in the country to carry out political vendetta. Release of some 54 thousand identified accused criminals by the BNP-Jamat Government is considered largely responsible for the extreme deterioration of law and order situation in the country.

Countrywide spontaneous general strike was also observed from 6 AM to 12 AM on 19^th June to protest the killing of Student League leader Saiful Rasul Palash at the call of Bangladesh Student League.

It is mentioned in this connection that during these peaceful protests and demonstrations police mercilessly beat up many of the participants including women taking part in these demonstrations. In violation of human and fundamental rights of citizen some female protesters were physically assaulted tortured and taken to custody. 

News Letter
Vol. 2 No. IX. June 21, 2003
Bangladesh Awami League Publication