Councillor Killing in Teknaf: Family demands judicial probe

Akramul Haque

The family members of Teknaf municipal Ward Councillor Akramul Haque, who was killed in a “gunfight” with RAB-7 on May 27 in the ongoing anti-narcotics drive, have demanded a judicial investigation into the killing.

Family members and AL leaders said Akram was a victim of either political rivalry or misinformation. To unearth the truth, they also sought Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's intervention in the matter.

“He called the PM 'Ma' and worked with honesty. Now I seek the intervention of my mother (Sheikh Hasina) in connection with the killing and demand justice,” Ayesha Begum, Akram's wife, said.

Akram, son of Abdus Sattar, had been the Teknaf upazila Jubo League president for 13 years. He was also the commissioner of Ward No-3.

After the “gunfight”, Rab claimed that Akram was a top-listed drug dealer. But family members, relatives and locals who had known him for years vehemently rejected the claim and said Akram was a prominent voice against narcotics in Teknaf.

Talking to The Daily Star, Akram's elder brother Nazrul Islam said, “My brother had been doing politics for the people. He had a C&F business and despite his financial hardship, he was never involved in drug dealing or any other illicit business.

“My brother was vocal against drug.  Three days before his death, he set a local 'drug den' near our house afire,” he added.

Locals and family members said there was tension between the family of Akram and local Awami League (AL) leader Abdur Rahman Bodi.

Nazrul, who is also a C&F businessman, said, “My brother was not blessed by the MP, as he did not like Akram. But there was no visible conflict over the issue.

“We [the brothers] don't like the current [system of] politics but Akram did as people were happy with him and obeyed him. Now we have paid the price through losing him.”

CALLED BY INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES

Talking to this correspondent, Akram's wife Ayesha Begum claimed, “From the morning, personnel of an intelligence agency had phoned him repeatedly on the day of the killing. Akram left the house after 9:00pm.

“When I asked him where was he going, he told me that a high official of the agency called him as they wanted to buy a piece of land,” said Ayesha.

“My daughter called him after half an hour and he told her that he was along with the officials who had called him and later cut the line,” said Ayesha.

Ayesha said she felt suspicious and so called him again. This time, while the phone was answered, no one spoke. “I just heard a few gun shots,” she said.

Ayesha said she went to the office of an intelligence agency and the police station but no one could inform her of Akram's whereabouts.

She heard about the so-called gunfight right after returning home, she said.

“If they [Rab] have information against my husband, they should verify and justify it but they didn't,” said Ayesha, with tears rolling down her face.

 “He always took stand against narcotics. Why would he deal in drugs?” she asked.

Nazrul said his brother was killed in a way similar to the Narayanganj seven murder and demanded justice for him.

“His [Akram] name must be dropped from the list and he should be freed from such kind of disgrace,” said Emdadul.

According to the official press release signed by Rab's media wing official Mimtanur Rahman, Akramul, 46, was the son of Mojaher Mia alias Abdus Sattar of Najirpara Teknaf municipality.

But interestingly, Najirpara is located in Teknaf Sadar union which is outside of Teknaf municipality.

Akram's house is located just around 70 yards off from Teknaf municipality bus stand. And locals said his father's name was only Abdus Sattar and he had no alias.

“My father's name is Abdus Sattar and everyone knows about our identity and home as Akram was a popular person in the area,” Nazrul said.

“There is another Akram in Najirpara who is known for his illicit work.”

Teknaf Police Station's Officer-in-Charge (OC) Ranjit Barua told The Daily Star there was one Enamul Haque, whose father's name was Mojaher Mia, in Najirpara and there was another Akram in the same area.

“Enamul is a member of the Teknaf Sadar union parishad and he stands accused in seven cases, including narcotics cases. The other Akram is also accused of two cases filed with Teknaf Police Station,” said the OC.

“There were two cases with this station against commissioner Akramul. One was filed over his alleged involvement in a clash and the other was a liquor case lodged under the narcotics act,” said the OC.

The first case, filed in 2008, was disposed of by court, and police already gave the final report in the liquor case, the OC added.

VERSION OF AL LEADER

Talking to The Daily Star, Teknaf upazila AL president Mohammed Ali said, “I know Akram personally. He had been doing the politics for AL for a long time as he was also the president of Teknaf Jubo League for 10 years.

“There could be a big mistake or he might have become the victim of politics or something else,” added Ali.

He added many local representatives in Teknaf were involved in the drug business and everyone knew who was sheltering the drug dealers. He also said Akramul was different from the others.

The incident must be investigated, he said.