Blueprint for snatching Shikdar, killing 6 influential people

KHULNA, Jan 16: A high official of Khulna Metropolitan Police confirmed today recovery of two letters written by accomplices of Ershad Shikdar inside Khulna District Jail.

The contents of the letters include 'a blueprint' for snatching Shikdar from police and killing six influential people including three top political leaders.

Taka one crore has been earmarked for execution of the blueprint drawn up by Ershad Shikdar himself in consultation with some of his accomplices while appeared before the court in connection with several murder cases recently, the official said.

Nazem Sarder, a convicted accused in a murder case, wrote the letters to 'Jamai' Faruque, a top professional killer and second-in-command of Shikdar's gang who is absconding since the arrest of Shikdar.

The letters were recovered while Nazem tried to pass them out through a relative he had met in Khulna Jail on January 14.

He, on behalf of Ershad Shikdar, instructed 'Jamai' Faruque to collect Tk. one crore from an MP belonging to the ruling party in Dhaka within the quickest possible time so that it can be spent for having all cases transferred from Khulna to Magura and Dhaka and engaging accomplices still at large for killing six people who had played key role in helping police arrest him.

Among the six, three are top leaders of both BNP and Awami League. Police, however, refused to disclose the names for security reasons.

One of the letters said Shikdar should be snatched from police custody by firing shots indiscriminately and exploding bombs at random while he is on way either to Magura or Dhaka after the cases have been transferred from Khulna.

Six persons have been named in one of the letters for keeping close touch with them in case of any financial problem.

Twenty businessman have also been named for collecting funds if necessary.

All these 20 businessmen of Khulna are beneficiaries of Ershad Shikdar, Nazem stated in one of the letters.

Instruction has also been there in the two letters to take advice from the police officers who also are his beneficiaries.

Authorities of Khulna jail have been asked to remain on high alert. Additional forces have been deployed around the district jail to beef up security measure and all accomplices of Shikdar have been removed from general wards and confined to cells. None will be allowed to visit them from now on, said sources in the KMP and district jail.

A committee has been formed to find out how a convicted prisoner could write such letters inside the jail and then try to pass them out evading the security guards.

Meanwhile, an unprecedented security measure was taken in the court today during trial of Jainal murder case where Ershad Shikdar and other accused were present. They will again be present in the same court tomorrow to face the trials.

Noor-e-Alam has been shifted to Satkhira jail from Kushtia district jail. He is being given special facilities in addition to additional security as he has become a government approver, said a KMP source.