Jubo Dal has expelled Nuruzzaman Mintu, son of Member of Parliament Abdul Aziz, from the party after his arrest in connection with the murder of Shakil Islam, member-secretary of Gurudaspur municipal Chhatra Dal.
The central Jubo Dal took the decision on Tuesday (October 27) on charges of involvement in the killing. In a notice signed by joint general secretary Minhajul Islam Bhuiyan, the party said Mintu — joint convener of Gurudaspur upazila Jubo Dal — has been expelled from primary membership and from the organisation for his alleged role in the serious act of taking the life of a fellow activist of a fraternal organisation.
The decision was implemented by central executive committee president Abdul Monayem Munna and general secretary Mohammad Nurul Islam Nayan. The notice further stated that the party will not take responsibility for any misdeeds of the expelled person and directed leaders and activists at all levels not to maintain any organisational ties with him.
According to the case details, on the night of October 14, around 9 pm, Shakil Islam (32) was attacked by several helmet-wearing armed assailants in the Chachkoir Bazarpara area of Gurudaspur municipal town. The attackers stabbed him and fled on a motorcycle. Critically injured, he was rescued and admitted to Bangladesh Medical College Hospital in Dhaka. He died on Monday night (October 26) around 8:30 pm after 12 days of treatment.
His father, Rabiul Mistri, had filed an attempted-murder case at Gurudaspur police station on October 19 against unidentified persons. Police detained Nuruzzaman Mintu from a rented house in Gurudaspur Bazar around 10 pm on Monday night, formally showed him arrested the next day, and produced him in court. The court granted 10 days’ remand.
Rabiul Mistri alleged that the name of US-based Russell had been included in the First Information Report (FIR) but was later dropped on the instruction of MP Abdul Aziz. He claimed that although Mintu has been arrested, police have failed to arrest anyone else and that he believes Russell is also involved in his son’s murder. Russell’s version of events could not be obtained.
On Tuesday afternoon, the first janaza (funeral prayer) of Shakil was held in front of the BNP central office in Paltan, Dhaka. The body was later taken to the family home in Gurudaspur. A second janaza was held around 10:30 pm at the Bilchalan Shahid Shamsujjoha College field in Gurudaspur municipal town, attended by several thousand people, including local leaders and activists.
MP Abdul Aziz addressed the gathering, prayed for the peace of Shakil’s soul, and announced a donation of Tk 20 lakh to the victim’s family. At one point during his speech, some people present chanted “fake, fake” slogans.
After the janaza, around 11 pm, a section of mourners marched to Chachkoir Bazar and attacked, vandalised and looted the business establishment “Ras Arban Style” belonging to US-based Russell. Eyewitnesses said goods were seen being taken from the shop.
Shakil was the son of Rabiul Mistri of Khamarnachkoir Khoyapara mahalla under Gurudaspur municipality.
Expressing grief over Shakil’s death, MP Abdul Aziz said that if his son is involved in the murder, he will be brought to justice.
Gurudaspur police station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Hannan stated that no one has filed a case regarding the attack, vandalism and looting of the business establishment, but additional police have been deployed to keep the situation under control.