Dulu handed 12 yrs behind bars

A tribunal in Natore yesterday sentenced former BNP deputy minister for land Ruhul Kuddus Talukder Dulu to 12 years' rigorous imprisonment for arson at three villages in 2004.
He will have to be in prison for two more years in default of payment of a Tk 50,000 fine.
The Special Tribunal of Women and Children Repression Prevention also sentenced 82 others in the case to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined them each Tk 20,000. In default, they will have to serve one more year's imprisonment.
Dulu's brothers--Nabi Talukder, Anisur Rahman Talukder, Mujibur Rahman Talukder, Rafiq Talukder, cousins--Nurunnabi Talukder, Abidur Rahman, nephews--Rentu, Belal, Bulbul, Dalim, Dollar, and Natore municipal ward commissioners Sadrul Huda, former president of Natore Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) Dewan Shahin and secretary Mostafizur Rahman are among the convicts.
Trial of the case under explosives act began at the District and Sessions Judge's Court after the charges were framed on July 4. But as the judge refused to continue the proceedings, it was shifted to an additional judge's court. When he too expressed inability to try the case, it was finally transferred to the tribunal.
Before delivering the judgment, Judge Mirza Abdur Rouf said that the then administration of upazila, district, and police would work on the dictates of Dulu.
Dulu was blessed by the then ruling four-party alliance high-command and raised a big group of cadres for carrying out misdeeds, the court observed referring to different witnesses and evidence.
The Ramsa-Kazipur arson was a despicable incident where the state machinery helped to violate the law. It was masterminded to avenge Gama's [Dulu's nephew] murder, the tribunal continued.
Dulu along with his henchmen went to the scene in two microbuses and unloaded two sackfuls of gun powder near a mosque. Later, the gunpowder was distributed among the cadres, said the judge quoting witnesses.
“The affected families had to pass days and nights in the open air after their houses were torched,” he added.
Police took special security measures to take Dulu to the Natore court from Rajshahi for the judgment amid curfew.
THE CASE
Natore district Jatiya Chhatra Samaj President Asaduzzaman Shah filed the case with Naldanga Police Station on February 25, accusing Dulu and 104 others.
Officer-in-charge of Naldanga PS Arman Hossain submitted two separate charge sheets--one for arson and looting and another under explosives act, on May 3.
Yesterday's judgment is second among 23 cases filed against Dulu. Earlier on July 26, he was sentenced to eight years in jail for looting and arson by the Additional District Magistrate's Court.
According to charges, the accused launched a series of assaults on Ramsa-Kazipur (Dulu's home village), Shahpara and Amtali Bazar villages on orders from Dulu to seek revenge for the killing of his nephew Sabbir Ahmed Gama on February 7 in 2004.
The then deputy minister rushed to the village on hearing the news of Gama murder and began the attacks on the villagers by setting fire to plaintiff Asaduzzaman's house. He carried the gunpowder to the scene using his government vehicle.
In a couple of days, some 18 houses and shops were gutted and belongings looted.
REACTIONS
Asaduzzaman has expressed satisfaction over the judgment. He said all affected people are somehow linked to Awami League, and which is why Dulu laid his vengeance on them.
Public Prosecutor Khandaker Abdul Hai and Additional PP Shamsunnahar said depositions of all the 25 witnesses proved the charges beyond doubt.
Defence lawyer Shakhawat Hossain Shawkat said they would appeal the verdict at a higher court. The complainant and most of the witnesses stand accused in Gama murder case, he claimed.