Police sheltering culprits in Bangladesh

March 11, 2009

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/203/police-sheltering-culprits-in-bangladesh

After 15 days of lodging a formal complaint against the attackers, for attacking the office of Weekly Blitz, assaulting its members, looting and various forms of illegal activities, police and other law enforcing agencies are completely ignoring the fact and continuing to give shelter to the perpetrators, mostly belonging to the ruling party, while one of the main accused, Ruhul Amin, was enlarged on bail by the Court of Metropolitan Magistrate on March 9, 2009. But, a number of co-accused in the case did not seek bail yet. But, police is completely reluctant in taking any action even against the co-accused.

Ruhul Amin went to the court on March 9, 2009 for seeking bail. Lawyers appointed by Weekly Blitz appeared before the court and opposed to the bail stating, Ruhul Amin is a notorious person, who violated country's law and forcefully entered into the office of the newspaper along with a huge gang thus committing various forms of extreme illegal activities.

Ruhul Amin went to the court with at least 30-35 people, many of whom were carrying weapons. One of his accomplices named Polin, who identified himself to be a Rangbaj [Terrorist] from Kakrail area, tried to stop the editor of the Weekly Blitz from entering the chamber of the lawyers. The entire court area was virtually cordoned by the armed members of Ruhul Amin's gang.

It is learnt that, Ruhul Amin is the kingpin of Bangabazar mysterious fire incidents, which takes place after every 2-3 years. Ruhul Amin and his gang torch the market [the entire market consists of wooden or tin-built shops] while burning mostly the shops as well in some cases a few employees of the shops. Reason behind setting fire in the shops is to help the syndicate of Ruhul Amin, in getting rid of bank loans or at least getting huge concession from the amount of bank interest. Burnt shops are then re-allocated to new people by Ruhul Amin and his gang. Through such extremely illegal activities, Ruhul Amin and his gang cashes huge amount of money almost on a regular basis.

Ruhul Amin also operates a well-organized smuggling network within Bangladesh-India border, using the Benapole route. On investigation it was found that, Ruhul entered into smuggling network as he started to work as a daily labor [which is termed as carrier] in the bordering areas. Later he established his own syndicate thus operating the smuggling of Sharee, Phensydile, arms, narcotics and various types of contraband items. He and his gangs are also active in breaking various customs warehouses in connivance with some dishonest customs officers thus looting various types of seized valuables from the warehouse. In recent past, his syndicate brought huge volume of Indian Sharees from the Customs warehouses, and secretly sold the entire consignment through their network in Bangabazar and other hawkers market.

After the victory of Awami League led Grand Alliance during December 29, 2008 General Election in Bangladesh, Ruhul Amin and his gang gave become much arrogant as the gang reportedly maintains high-contact with influential Awami League figures like Amir Hossain Amu.

Meanwhile, despite repeated complaints with various agencies in the government about one Shamim from DGFI [Director General of Forces Intelligence] who co-led the attack on the office of Weekly Blitz, there is complete reluctance from the government and other law enforcing agencies in at least identifying the person, although various agencies have verbally claimed that no such officer from DGFI was sent to Weekly Blitz office to assist Ruhul Amin in his illegal actions.

On investigation it was revealed that, Ruhul Amin uses a number of armed cadres in continuing various forms of serious crimes in the Capital city, including contract murder, abduction, extortion and property grabbing. In his gang, there are a number of notorious members, who regularly claim to be officials of various intelligence agencies.

The matter of Shamim from DGFI being in the attack-gang, although is putting very image of the Bangladesh Armed Forces into question, there is visible reluctance in the intelligence agencies in investigating the matter of Shamim from DGFI as well as Ruhul Amin's using and abusing the name of country's sensitive intelligence agencies.

It is further learnt that, Ruhul Amin continues to commit various forms of extremely illegal activities either by using names of several influential Awami League leaders, including the Prime Minister and some other ministers as well as intelligence agencies.

He maintains close relations with several high-ranking police officers who are also abetting various forms of crime of this man.

Meanwhile, Weekly Blitz sent a number of letters to the Inspector General of Police as well as Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, seeking help in investigating the massive illegal activities on February 22, 2009 at Weekly Blitz office as well reluctance of the Investigation Officer in taking minimum action against the perpetrators. Members of this newspaper even met the deputy Commissioner of Police in this regard. But, till filing of this report, there is no action from any of these officials for reason unknown.

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