Shimul Murder: Shahzadpur mayor, five others on five-day remand

A court yesterday put Shahzadpur Mayor Halimul Haque Miru and five others on five-day remand in connection with a factional clash of ruling Awami League that left journalist Abdul Hakim Shimul killed.

Police produced six accused before the Court of Senior Judicial Magistrate, Shahzadpur and sought seven days remand for each to get information about illegal firearms used during the clash on February 2.

The other five accused are the mayor's aide and AL leader Nasir Uddin, Nazmul Khan, Alamgir Hossain, Arshad Ali and Zahir Sheikh.

Senior Judicial Magistrate Hasibul Haque granted five days remand for each after the hearing, said Additional Public Prosecutor advocate Abul Kashem.

Shimul, Shahzadpur correspondent of the daily Samakal, received a bullet during the clash when the municipality mayor and his men opened fire. Shimul succumbed to his injuries on February 3.

The victim's wife filed a case accusing Mayor Miru, his two brothers and 15 others. The police arrested 12 people including the mayor, the key accused, who was arrested in the capital's Shyamoli area on February 5.

“According to video footage and witness, several firearms were used by the mayor and his men during the clash. We seized a licensed firearm from the mayor's house, but the other firearms used in the clash could not be found,” Inspector (investigation) Md Monirul Islam told The Daily Star.

LICENSING OF GUNS QUESTIONED

The mayor obtained a firearm licence in 2014 under the freedom fighter quota, but the process was questioned.

“Halimul Haque Miru is not a real freedom fighter. His freedom fighter certificate was managed hiding his real age. He has shown his date of birth as 01/01/1955, but his real date of birth is 01/01/1959 according to the voter list,” Binoy Kumar, commander of Shahzadpur Muktijoddha Sangsad, told The Daily Star.

Asked about the allegation, Deputy Commissioner of Sirajganj Kamrunnahar Siddika declined to comment.

“I am not interested to say anything about it,” the DC said.

Superintendent of Police Miraz Uddin Ahmed however said they had seized the licensed gun and were investigating the licensing process.

“If any flaw is unearthed, we will recommend cancelling the licence,” he added.

“We are hopeful to get justice after the accused were put on remand. We will be happy when they get the due punishment,” Shimul's wife Nurun Nahar said.