The murder of Chhatra Dal leader Shakil has exposed divisions within the Natore district unit of the BNP, with a section of party leaders demanding justice while raising questions over internal party decisions involving local lawmaker Abdul Aziz and his son Nuruzzaman Mintu.
At a press conference, district BNP leaders called for a fair investigation and punishment of those responsible for the killing, regardless of their political influence or position.
District BNP Member Secretary Asaduzzaman Asad said the murder must be properly investigated and those involved brought to justice.
He said people across the country and in the local community wanted justice for the killing at any cost.
Asad also alleged that disagreements had emerged within the district BNP over the process of communicating the party’s position to the central leadership on decisions taken at an extended district committee meeting concerning Natore-4 lawmaker Abdul Aziz and his son Nuruzzaman Mintu.
He added that he would personally inform the central BNP leadership about the alleged misconduct by the lawmaker.
District BNP Joint Convener Mizanur Rahman Duke described Shakil‘s murder as a major blow to the party.
“Regardless of how powerful the perpetrators are or what positions they hold in the party or the state, they must not be spared. Everyone involved in the murder must be brought to justice,” he said.
District BNP Joint General Secretary Babul Chowdhury said no murder of a BNP leader in Natore had been brought to justice so far. He said the lack of justice had emboldened perpetrators and stressed that he did not want to see divisions within the party.
District BNP members Advocate Abdul Kader Mia, Barrister Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal Ranju and Advocate Sakhawat Hossain, along with other party leaders and activists, attended the press conference.
Earlier, on 14 October, Shakil was attacked by a group of armed assailants in the Chachkoir Bazarpara area of Gurudaspur municipality. The attackers hacked him with sharp weapons before fleeing on a motorcycle.
He was rescued and taken to Bangladesh Medical University, formerly known as PG Hospital, in Dhaka for treatment. After 12 days of treatment, Shakil died from his injuries around 8:30pm on Monday, according to family sources.
Following the attack, his father, Rabiul Islam, filed a case with the police station on 19 October. Police arrested Mintu that night over his alleged involvement in the murder.
He was later placed on a three-day remand in the first phase of questioning. Following his arrest, he was also relieved of his post as joint secretary of the Upazila Jubo Dal.
