Shakil filed a police GD after death threats, yet police could not save him, father alleges

The killing of Shakil Islam, member secretary of the Gurudaspur municipal unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal in Natore, has brought renewed attention to the insecurity he described on social media before his death and to the general diary (GD) he filed at the police station. His father, Rabiul Karim, has alleged that although his son filed a GD after receiving death threats, the police could not save him. He has demanded exemplary punishment for those involved in the killing.

Rabiul Karim said: 'After receiving death threats, my son filed a GD at the police station. Yet the police could not save Shakil. And even after he was murdered, the police played an inactive role in catching the criminals.' He also claimed that influential people are involved in the killing. The family has questioned the police role in identifying and arresting suspects after Shakil's death, alleging that proper steps were not taken to arrest the offenders after the incident.

Six months earlier, on 20 April, Shakil Islam (32) posted on Facebook expressing fear for his life. In the post he alleged that one side was contacting various circles and groups to have him killed, and that money was also being offered for the job.

In that post, Shakil said he had spoken to the officer-in-charge (OC) of the police station about the matter and had filed a general diary. His concern, he wrote, was that if anything happened, a case could be filed on the basis of that GD.

Natore district detective police Inspector Md Nazrul Islam did not give details about Shakil's post, but said the investigation is proceeding with all matters taken into consideration.

The slain Shakil Islam was the son of Rabiul Karim of the Khamar Nachkoir Khoarpara area of Gurudaspur municipality. He was the member secretary of the Gurudaspur municipal Chhatra Dal.

On 14 October at around 10:30 pm, Shakil was seriously injured by sharp weapons while returning from the local Chanchkoir Bazar. Local people rescued him and took him to the Gurudaspur Upazila Health Complex. He was later transferred via Rajshahi to Bangladesh Medical University Hospital in Dhaka. After 12 days under treatment there, he died on Monday (26 October) at around 8:30 pm.

Over the incident, his father Rabiul Karim filed a case at Gurudaspur police station on 19 October against unidentified persons. In that case, Nuruzzaman Mintu — the elder son of Natore-4 (Gurudaspur-Baraigram) MP Abdul Aziz and joint convener of the Gurudaspur upazila Jubo Dal — has been shown arrested on allegations of involvement in the incident.

Police detained Mintu from a rented house near Gurudaspur Bazar at around 10 pm on Monday (26 October) and later showed him arrested in the murder case. On Tuesday (27 October) afternoon, the investigating officer produced him before the Gurudaspur cognizance court in Natore and sought a 10-day remand. After the hearing, the court granted a three-day remand. Court police Inspector Asmaul Haque confirmed the matter, saying the court granted the three-day remand for further questioning and that Mintu was afterwards taken into the custody of the district detective police (DB).

Natore judges' court lawyer Muktar Hossain told reporters that no lawyer appeared for Mintu in court. Mintu himself sought permission to take part in the hearing and, once permitted, claimed he was not involved in the killing and that the police had shown him arrested without proper verification. He demanded a proper investigation. The investigating officer told the court the killing was sensational and that questioning was necessary to uncover the real mystery of the incident and verify the accused's involvement.

The dispute between two factions is also within the scope of the investigation. According to several local Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal leaders, MP Abdul Aziz's two sons, Nuruzzaman Mintu and Mahmuduzzaman Sohag, have separate follower groups and a feud has been going on between them for a long time. The leaders also said the slain Shakil was a follower of the MP's younger son, Mahmuduzzaman Sohag. However, whether that feud is linked to the Shakil killing has not been confirmed in the investigation. Inspector Md Nazrul Islam said the investigation is proceeding keeping everything in mind, and that whoever is found involved will be arrested.

After news of Shakil's death spread, central Chhatra Dal leaders and activists besieged MP Abdul Aziz at the hospital in Dhaka. There they demanded Mintu's arrest and Tk 20 lakh in compensation for Shakil's family. On Tuesday (27 October) morning, the MP went to console Shakil's family. He said at the time that if his son was involved in this unexpected killing, he would be made to stand trial.

Uncovering the real mystery of the Shakil killing, identifying those involved and ensuring justice for the family now depend on the investigation. Local people are also watching how Shakil's pre-death message about his insecurity and the GD he filed at the police station are treated in that investigation.