Trial of killers of Jubo League leader demanded

Abdul Hakim, father of city Jubo League leader Abul Kalam Azad, who was allegedly killed in crossfire by the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in May last year, speaks at a press conference in the city yesterday. PHOTO: STAR

Terming the killing of Abul Kalam Azad Sumon as political they said their son was a victim of political vindictiveness.

Speaking at a press briefing at the National Press Club yesterday, Abdul Hakim, father of Sumon, said Rab was used in the killing to take political revenge.

He said a group of seven to eight people in civil dress picked up Sumon at gunpoint from his workplace at Lorel International near Goran Tempo Stand at around 9:00pm on May 29.

His body was found in front of Khilgaon Police Station in the next morning, he added.

Hakim said when he went to police station to file a case in this connection, officer-on-duty refused to take the case.

"Finding no other way I filed a case accusing Rab, home secretary, housing and public works minister and city vice- president of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (south) with the Metropolitan Court," he said.

"My son was neither a terrorist nor an accused in any case," Hakim said, adding, "The only 'crime' that my son had committed was that he was an activist of opposition political party and joined an agitation against the change in Khilgaon flyover plan in the locality."

He also said some unknown people had threatened them on different occasions for giving statement before the court.

Amena Begum, mother of Sumon, said, "We are helpless and passing very inhuman life as my son was the main earning member of the family."

Sumon's sister Israt Jahan Tonni and his colleague Bidyut who was also arrested on that night, and some Awami League and Jubo League leaders of ward no 25 were present at the press conference.

Sumon, joint convenor of Jubo League ward no 25, was gunned down at Banasree project in Rampura at 3:30am.