Shahidul alleges threat by Rab

The father-in-law of slain Narayanganj panel mayor Nazrul Islam yesterday alleged that he was receiving threats from the Rapid Action Battalion.
"I'm getting threats from the Rab as I spoke up against them," Shahidul Islam told reporters after giving his deposition before the government probe body at Narayanganj Circuit House on the second day of the mass hearing yesterday.
Shahidul, however, said he was not cowed by the threats.
"I'm 70 years old. I have undergone a bypass surgery and my legs hurt. I'm living on Allah's mercy. I don't fear if they [Rab] kill me," he said.
The man, who created a sensation by alleging that it was Rab men who killed Nazrul and six others after abducting them on April 27 in exchange of Tk 6 crore from Siddhirganj Awami League leader Nur Hossain and a few others, also hinted that a deep sense of insecurity and panic was prevailing in the area as the accused have not been arrested.
"People do not dare to give deposition fearing reprisals from Nur Hossain and his associates," he said.
Shahidul also threatened to wage a movement if the three ex-Rab officials, who were "dismissed" due to their alleged involvement in the killings, are not arrested in two or three days.
"We still remain calm as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina assured us of proper investigation into the incident," he added.
Meanwhile, a High Court judge yesterday said Additional Director General of the Rab Colonel Ziaul Hasan's statement regarding Shahidul is contemptuous.
Col Zia reportedly spoke of examining whether Shahidul was involved in the sensational seven-murder incident, although the HC had ordered the Rab not to engage in the investigation, said Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore.
"Colonel Ziaul's statement is contemptuous," Justice Tagore observed during the hearing on its rule that directed the government to form a committee excluding the Rab to investigate the incident.
Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said, "None should make statements like this".
The attorney general said that he will take steps to prevent Rab officials from making statements regarding the incident.