& çâÌæÚUæð´ ·¤è ¥ôÚU Îð¹Ùæ ÁæÚUè ÚU¹ð´ ¥ÍæüÌ ¥ÂÙð ÜÿØ ÂÚU ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´Ð ãæÚU Ù ×æÙð´, €UØô´ç·¤ ·¤æ× ·¤ÚUÙð âð ¥æÂ·¤ô ©gðàØ ·¤è Âýæç# ãôÌè ãñ ¥õÚU ÁèßÙ ·¤æ ¹æÜèÂÙ ÎêÚU ãôÌæ ãñÐ ÖÜð ãè ÁèßÙ ×ð´ ç·¤ÌÙè Öè ·¤çÆÙæ§ü €UØô´ Ù ¥æ°, çÁ™ææâæ ¥õÚU ©ˆâæã ÕÙæ° ÚU¹ð´Ð ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´, ÜÿØ ã×ðàææ ¥æÂ·Ô¤ Âæâ ãôÌð ãñ´ çÁ‹ãð´ ÂæÙð ·Ô¤ çÜ° ÂýØæâ ¥æÂ ·¤Öè Öè àæéM¤ ·¤ÚU â·¤Ìð ãñ´Ð

A murder pushed into oblivion

Family bears the scar of 1980 killing but too scared still to seek justice

Emran Hossain, back from Barisal
Haider Kutti, who gradually went insane witnessing the murder of his brother in broad daylight allegedly by BNP lawmaker-elect from Barisal-5 Mojibor Rahman Sarwar, still wanders around the killing spot
His brother Kalam was chopped to death on March 29, 1980 on Kalibari Road in Barisal city. During a visit to the city, Haider was found mumblingon the same spot.
Asked a few questions, he only answered one: "I don’t know who Kalam is," and continued murmuring.
Back at home, several yards off from the spot, lives his 80-year-old helpless mother Kushum. She has been living in fear for her three other sons for the last three decades and didn't comment on the matter.
"I have lifted all charges against Sarwar. If he does any harm to any of my sons again, I have none but Allah to seek justice," said widowed Kushum.
Locals say Kushum, intimidated by Sarwar, was forced to make a court statement for withdrawing the murder case
SEE PAGE 2 COL 5
FROM PAGE 16
filed by police against the BNP leader, who also offered money to that end.
Sarwar, once a friend to Kalam, was relieved of the charges reportedly by influencing the police during his long tenure as a lawmaker for four times and a city mayor for once.
The police have meanwhile 'lost' all the case documents, while the main eyewitness -- Jyotsna, Kalam's elder brother Rahman's wife -- is already dead.
"No eyewitness had ever given deposition in the case and we also never looked for an update," said Rahman, adding they even didn't dare to file a case themselves.
This is not the only incident of crime, corruption and influence allegedly committed by Sarwar.
Speaking anonymously, a rickshaw-puller said. "I myself gave him Tk 30,000 in bribe for the job of a city corporation guard in 2003-04."
"Sarwar has committed several murders, but nothing has happened to him. What could a family like us do by filing a case against such a person?" Kushum sobbed when asked if they feel insecure after Sarwar has been elected lawmaker again.
The lawmaker-elect trashed the allegations straightaway. "It was a mistake to accuse me of a broad daylight murder. They shouldn't have done it. Even the case statement mentioned me as an instigator, not as the murderer."
"It's an old matter and the police shouldn't be blamed for lost documents," he said when asked about his influence regarding the matter. Everyone accused in the case was cleared of charges, he informs.
The lawmaker-elect also took no time to deny that he was accused in any other murder case, hoping The Daily Star correspondent didn't know.
When pointed to the murder case of his well-known cadre Tyara' Shahjahan, he however said: "That was an incident of 2003. The case was filed as part of political conspiracy and will be quashed soon.”
"Yes, I'm accused in another murder case," admitted the BNP leader, who looked a little annoyed.
He recovered soon. "If you can mention a single person complaining against me. I would look into the matter immediately," he boasted.
"There has been media* propaganda against me before the general elections but I've won. And now that I've won, you media people are again on my trail. "
Locals say they hoped for his defeat but Sarwar bagged victory since the constituency is considered as a BNP den. A large number of youths involved in BNP politics became millionaires by helping his crimes and they worked hard for him to get the privilege again, they add.
BNP has won in this constituency as many minority voters reportedly did not cast their votes due to intimidation. Moreover, allegations of widespread corruption and repression on people by former Awami League lawmaker Abul Hasnat Abdullah also played a key role behind the grand alliance's defeat.
The locals add Sarwar's main rival grand alliance candidate Col (retd) Zahid Faruque was an unknown figure before the polls.
In accordance with the affidavit submitted to the Election Commission, Sarwar is accused in seven cases on charges of tax dodging, amassing ill-gotten wealth, murder and possessing illegal firearms.
Besides, people on several occasions filed cases against him on charges of encroach-ingon theirland.
He is allegedly involved in illegal tender business, orchestrating transfer and
appointment, extortion, ilfl^al land occupation, misappropriation of government fund and property, and applying "crossfire" as a means to get rid of intrapartyfeud.
There are allegations he used to take 15-20 percent toll from every contractor when leaders of BNP's differ-ent political wings controlled tender process of Roads and Highways, Water Development Board and other government offices in Barisal.
He is also accused of amassing wealth by showing development works already done by his predecessors as his projects.
Sources say Sarwar encroached on government land in the name of constructing markets and shopping malls, many of which remain unused still now.
Construction of Barisal Multipurpose Market is an example in this regard. On behalf of Sarwar. Barisal City Corporation Councillor Zamal Hossain Noman took Tk 2 crore from 200 businesspersons but hasn't allocated them the shops yet.
The Anti-Corruption Commission last year filed a case against Sarwar for amassing wealth worth over Tk 25 crore beyond known sources of income and giving false information in his statement submitted to the commission.
The National Board of Revenue filed another case for dodgingTk 6crore in tax. BACKGROUND
Sarwar entered the scene of Barisal politics in 1980 through labour politics at garment and transport sectors.
He was known as one of the top criminals in the division. He joined BNP during the regime of military dictator HM Ershad through former president Abdur Rahman Bishwas.
Since then he never had to look back and became the first mayor of Barisal. On his paths to 'prosperity' he removed every hurdle in an iron hand.
The death of Kalam can be taken as an example, for he was killed for his denial to comply with Sarwar, family members allege.
The killing created huge sensation and was even discussed in parliament under "calling attention to matters of urgent public importance." The Daily Azad ran a story in this regard on the front page on April 4. 1980.