Businesses in Old Dhaka stop, protest killings

Shops in Old Dhaka remain closed as thousands of businesspeople went on strike yesterday in outrage at the grisly killings of Shamsul Haq and his son Russell Sheikh and targeting of the corporate community by criminals. PHOTO: STAR

Over 10,000 shops closed yesterday, as Old Dhaka businesspeople went on strike in anger at the brutal beheading of Shamsul Haq and his son Russell Sheikh that sent shockwaves through the city.

"We will continue our agitation until we see any move by the government to arrest the killers," said Abdur Rouf Molla, vice-president of Sadarghat Sammilita Baboshayee Samity, an association of businesspeople representing 42 markets in Sadarghat.

Hundreds of demonstrators took out a procession at about 11:00am, shouting slogans -- "Hang the Killers" -- in shell-shocked Old Dhaka, a hotbed of attacks on businesspeople and businesses.

The area with a matrix of streets and lanes sank into gloom because of the strike: only signs of life came from southbound travellers using Sadarghat launch terminal.

"It's not a simple case of extortion ... most businesspeople don't have the courage to stand up against such criminals," Rouf said. "Political instability is to blame for the recent killings in our area. I don't blame any party in particular, but both opposition and ruling parties have to share the responsibility for what is happening."

THREATENING CALLS

In the wake of a case filed against Kajal as the prime suspect after remains of the 56-year-old and his 29-year-old son were retrieved in Gazipur on Sunday, threatening phone calls from unnamed persons scared their family and raised serious concern about security.

"You didn't do right by filing the case. You have other children to think and worry about," a caller told Haq's wife before she hung up in fear.

"We have alerted police ... we are worried about our security," said Yasmin, the eldest daughter of Haq.

Ministers and political leaders and activists of all hues continued to pour in Haq's home in the old quarter of the city to offer condolences to the family numbed by the macabre incident that was brought to light in a morning find on Sunday.

Police recovered the bodies of Haq and Russell in more than 250 pieces two days after their driver was found hacked to death in a car on the far outskirts of Dhaka on Friday.

"We want nothing but the killers to be hanged. We want justice. Can you promise that?" Yasmin asked State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar when he visited the family. Accompanied by Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka, Babar assured her of justice.

Emerging from the house, the state minister repeated: "Spreading alarm among people is the implications of these attacks. We will track down who are behind the killings as our investigations reveal more in time."

The mayor chimed in: "Other businessmen should not be alarmed as the murders took place out of a dispute between two partners."

Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon and other top 11-party left alliance leaders, who visited the family at the same time, differed with the state minister later.

"It has nothing to do with fear. If political activists are allowed to roam even after being accused of murdering Sergeant Farhad, they will continue to kill more," Menon said.

Kajal, reportedly Haq's family friend with a past of leading crime gangs in Old Dhaka, is accused of killing Sergeant Farhad on Jagannath University College campus.

On a visit later in the day, former president HM Ershad blasted the state minister for his comments and assured Haq's wife and daughters: "The government will not be able to stay in power if they don't bring the killers to justice."

"The government cannot skirt its responsibility for the deaths of the businessmen. They (ruling BNP leaders) know who committed the crime. If we let animals (killers) go, it will reduce us to the level of animals too," Ershad said.

INVESTIGATION

Investigators quizzed a man popularly known as Guddu with potential links to the killings after he was arrested in Sabujbagh on March 27. He told police he was close to Kajal but did not have any role in the killing.

Guddu, now on a five-day remand, named up to seven people with ties to Kajal, who has been evading capture since the incident. The investigation officer refused to give more details.

Sources said a team of 150 policemen and intelligence agents ringed a Dhanmondi house on Monday night, but Kajal fled scaling the compound wall.

Earlier, police arrested Kajal's four other accomplices Abdus Samad Bengal, Tapash, Palash and Habib in Srinagar, Munshiganj.