Published on 08:38 PM, May 11, 2014

Seven-murder culprits must be punished: PM

Seven-murder culprits must be punished: PM

Relatives of victims break down in tears during a civil demonstration against extrajudicial killings and disappearances in front of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on May 5. Star file photo
Relatives of victims break down in tears during a civil demonstration against extrajudicial killings and disappearances in front of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on May 5. Star file photo

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today assured that the government would ensure the punishment to the culprits behind the sensational murder of seven people in Narayanganj.

"Seven-murder culprits in Narayanganj must be punished," she said.

She gave the assurance when the family members of slain senior lawyer of Narayanganj Advocate Chandan Sarker met the Prime Minister at her official residence at Ganobhaban here this evening.

PM's special assistant Mahbubul Hoque Shakil briefed the reporters after the meeting.

He said that the Prime Minister became emotional and embraced while seeing Archana Sarker, wife of late Chandan Sarker.

Daughters of late Chandan Sarker, Dr Sejunti Sarker, Dr Sushmita Sarker, Swati Sarker and Shaptarshi Sarker, son-in-laws Dr Bijoy Kumar Pal, Ranjit Debnath and Amit Singha, and granddaughter Roudeshi Sarker were present during the meeting.

Sheikh Hasina said that all out efforts are going on to arrest the culprits behind these inhuman killings.

"After hearing the news, I directed the law enforcement agencies to act quickly for identifying and arresting the culprits through proper investigation," she said.

She also mentioned that the government has already removed the high officials of local administration, RAB and police. "The government did not sit idle after the incident," she said.

Archana Sarker said that they have the firm belief that the Prime Minister could ensure the punishment of the all culprits behind the gruesome killings.

She also expressed their gratitude to the Prime Minister for the steps that have been taken so far.

Archana Sarker said that the Prime Minister herself is bearing the burden of pain of the loss of her near and dear ones. "It is only possible for you to ensure the justice," she said.

She said though Chandan Sarkar was a lawyer, he was also a poet. Archana handed over two poetry books of Chnadan Sarker to the Prime Minister.

Receiving the books, Sheikh Hasina said that the trial and punishment of those who killed an innocent man like him would be ensured.

Seven people including Chandan Sarker and Narayanganj panel mayor Nazrul Islam were abducted from the city on April 27. Six of their bodies were found floating in the Shitalakkhya river on April 29 while another body was found the following day.

The other victims are: Moniruzzaman, Tajul Islam, Liton, Ibrahim, and Jahangir.

Nazrul with his three aides and driver were abducted near Adalat Para on April 27 while they were returning by a car from Narayanganj District Judge's Court. Earlier, he had appeared in the court in connection with a case.

Police found Nazrul's car abandoned in Rajendrapur area of Gazipur that night.

At about the same time, lawyer Chandan and his driver Ibrahim were kidnapped from the court area in Narayanganj. Chandan's car was found abandoned in the capital's Gulshan area.