Allegations of extortion, torture, tender manipulation and abuse of power against Natore-4 MP Abdul Aziz and his two sons have emerged following the murder of Chhatra Dal leader Shakil Islam, with residents accusing police of failing to take action against the family.
Residents of Baraigram and Gurudaspur allege that Aziz and his sons, Nuruzzaman Mintu and Mahmuduzzaman Sohag, have exerted influence over government offices, controlled development allocations, illegally excavated ponds on agricultural land and intimidated businesspeople, contractors and ordinary residents.
The allegations have come into sharper focus following Mintu’s arrest in connection with Shakil’s murder, prompting residents and local BNP leaders to speak publicly about alleged abuses they had previously been afraid to report.
During visits to the area, residents said the family’s alleged control over tenders and involvement in extortion had created widespread fear.
They accused Mintu of threatening government officials, intimidating engineers with firearms to control tenders and confining an Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) inside his office.
Despite these allegations, Mintu had remained beyond the reach of law enforcement, they claimed.
The MP’s younger son, Sohag, faces allegations of controlling government development contracts and allocations under the Test Relief (TR), Food for Work (Kabikha) and Gratuitous Relief (GR) programmes.
The family has also been accused of favouritism in the appointment of government fertiliser dealers.
More serious allegations involve the use of a “torture cell” where people were allegedly detained, beaten and burned with cigarettes.
A video containing allegations of torture involving members of a minority community has recently circulated on social media.
Another video involving Aziz and a woman has also gone viral following Mintu’s arrest, prompting allegations of moral misconduct against the MP.
Denying the accusations, Aziz said neither he nor his sons were involved in criminal activities.
He claimed that political opponents and individuals who had failed to secure party nominations were spreading false allegations against him.
‘Chata Group’ comes under scrutiny
Shakil Islam, member secretary of Gurudaspur municipality Chhatra Dal, died on Monday after fighting for his life for nearly 12 days following an attack in which assailants hacked him, leaving him seriously injured.
His death has brought renewed attention to an influential group known locally as the “Chata Group”, which residents allege operates under Mintu’s patronage.
Former Jubo League leader Russell Islam, who lives in the United States, allegedly leads the group, while Mintu’s backing has enabled Russell and his associates to exert influence in the area.
Shakil’s father, Rabiul Islam, accused members of the group of involvement in his son’s murder.
He said his family continued to live in fear even after losing Shakil.
“We have lost our brother. We do not want to lose anyone else,” Shakil’s sister, Shakila, said.
Several residents, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Russell had been involved in a dispute with a man named James.
They alleged that Shakil had protested against a plan to kill James, bringing him into conflict with Russell and Mintu.
Residents suspected that the dispute might have led to Shakil’s murder.
They also claimed that Russell had given iPhones to Aziz and his two sons.
Allegations of extortion and tender control
Before becoming an MP, Aziz served as chairman of Gurudaspur Upazila Parishad from 2014 to 2019. Earlier, he had served as chairman of Dharabarisha Union Parishad.
Residents allege that his family used his longstanding political influence to establish control over various activities in the two upazilas.
Following 5 August 2024, his sons allegedly collected extortion money from businesspeople and the local fertiliser dealers’ association.
Mintu also allegedly threatened government officials, used firearms to intimidate engineers over tenders and facilitated illegal pond excavation on agricultural land.
He reportedly drew widespread attention after allegedly threatening an UNO, locking his office and confining him inside.
Residents further accused him of operating a “torture cell” where people were tied up, beaten and burned with cigarettes.
The MP’s younger son, Sohag, has separately been accused of controlling tenders for government development projects.
Residents claim that contractors not favoured by Sohag face obstacles in securing or implementing projects.
Even when other contractors win contracts, they are allegedly forced to transfer the work to his preferred contractors or pay substantial sums to proceed.
Sohag is also accused of influencing the distribution of TR, Kabikha and GR allocations.
According to residents, money has been withdrawn from some projects without any work being carried out, with 30 per cent of the funds allegedly paid to Sohag.
He also faces allegations of illegally installing illegal ‘sroti jal’ fishing nets in rivers and canals across Chalan Beel to catch large quantities of fish.
Residents said the nets killed juvenile and breeding fish and obstructed the natural flow of water.
They claimed that delayed drainage from the wetlands had also affected farming, while no effective administrative action had been taken.
Favouritism in fertiliser dealership appointments
The MP’s family has also faced allegations of favouritism in the appointment of fertiliser dealers.
Residents claimed that Mintu, the wives of two of his nephews and an accused person in the murder case of Jubo Dal leader Bashar had secured dealerships on Aziz’s recommendation.
Gurudaspur Thana BNP Coordinator Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal Ranju told TIMES that Mintu was locally known as the “Yaba Bodi of northern Bangladesh”.
He alleged that both Mintu and Sohag openly carried firearms and were involved in extortion and tender manipulation.
Ranju also accused police of protecting and facilitating their activities.
Residents fear reprisals
Despite allegations of widespread misconduct involving the MP and his family, many residents remain reluctant to speak publicly, fearing harassment or attacks if their identities become known.
Concerns have intensified following Shakil’s murder, with his family also expressing fears for their safety.
Residents alleged that Aziz and his sons had established a climate of fear in the area since the fall of the Awami League, while police had failed to take action despite repeated allegations.
Natore Superintendent of Police Mohammad Shariful Haque said no allegations of criminal activities involving the MP or his sons had come to his attention since he assumed office.
He said action would be taken against anyone involved in criminal activities, regardless of their identity.
