Gulshan Shooting: Swechchhasebak League leader has ‘murky past’

Abdul Waheed Mintu, the Swechchhasebak League leader who fired indiscriminately in the capital's Gulshan on Sunday, has two licensed firearms -- a pistol and a shotgun.

Mintu, a vice-president of Dhaka north unit of Swechchhasebak League, a front organisation of the ruling Awami League,  had acquired the licence for both his weapons in 2013. He renewed it in 2021 for the next three years, sources said.

He used to brandish his firearms in broad daylight to intimidate people and was involved in extortion incidents in the capital's Mohakhali, Gulshan, and Banani, the sources added.

Mintu was also an organising secretary in the previous committee of Dhaka North Swechchhasebak League.

He stood accused in a murder case, police sources said.

Mintu is known to have had a good relationship with "Pichchi" Hannan, who was one of the top 23 criminals on the police list, said the sources.

Hannan was killed in a "crossfire with Rab" in 2004.

A top leader of Swechchhasebak League said Mintu used to maintain ties with Hannan for the smooth operation of his business -- a contracting firm named MS Progressive Enterprises.

Mintu's name came into the limelight after he was arrested following the shooting incident in Gulshan-1 on Sunday.

Abdur Rahim, a rickshaw-van driver, and Aminul Islam, a car driver, were shot in their legs that afternoon after Mintu fired multiple shots near the Gulshan Shopping Plaza following a dispute over a digital money transaction.

The injured were rushed to the United Hospital in the capital's Gulshan.

Victim Aminul filed a case with Gulshan Police Station yesterday against five people, including Mintu, his associates Arif Hossain and Monir Ahmed, and two others -- Shariful and Humayun.

On the day of the incident, police arrested Mintu, Arif, and Monir from the spot and also recovered a pistol, 16 bullets, three bullet shells, and four magazines.

Sheikh Sahanur Rahman, inspector (investigation) of Gulshan Police Station, told The Daily Star that all the arrestees were sent to jail and police did not appeal for any remand as the arrestees gave all the information that they wanted during primary investigation.

"We have seized Mintu's firearms," he said.

Asked if Mintu had murder charges against him, Shahin Rayhan, a sub-inspector of the station and the investigating officer of the case, told this newspaper they have already sent queries to different police stations to know whether he was accused in other cases or not.

"We will mention the findings in our investigation."

Contacted, Eashak Mia, president of Dhaka North Swechchhasebak League, yesterday said they have already formed a committee to investigate Mintu's involvement in crimes and the Gulshan incident.

"If he is found involved in any criminal offence, we will take action against him. The organisation will not take responsibility for any criminal activities."

On Sunday afternoon, Mintu's aide Arif went to Alpha General Store near Gulshan Shopping Plaza and ordered the shopkeeper to transfer Tk 75,00 to a Mobile Financial Service account.

After sending the money, shopkeeper Habibur Rahman asked for the cash but Arif said he did not have it. Habibur then detained Arif and called in nearby shopkeepers as backup.

Arif, on the other hand, called his associates, after which Kabir, Mintu and Monir arrived at the spot to free him.

As a clash broke out, Arif and the others tried to flee the scene while Habibur chased them down. At that time, Mintu fired multiple shots, two of which hit Rahim and Aminul.