United News of Bangladesh

In a surprising twist, a former BNP leader accused in a domestic violence case managed to escape police custody -- still in handcuffs -- after a group of his ‘relatives’ allegedly attacked law enforcers in Fulgazi upazila of Feni on Tuesday night. The fugitive, identified as Kabir Ahmed Chowdhury alias Jal Kabir, previously served as the organisational secretary of ward No-4 BNP unit in Amzadhat Union. According to police sources, a team from Chhagalnaiya Police Station had gone to Amzadhat area to arrest Kabir in connection with a domestic violence case. The arrest initially went as planned, but chaos soon followed. Ex-Feni MPs Masud, Nizam Hazari among 251 sued “As soon as Kabir was taken into custody, a group of his cohorts launched a sudden and violent attack on the police team,” said Md Nazrul Islam, officer-in-charge of Chhagalnaiya Police Station. During the altercation, sub-inspector (SI) Rafid, assistant SI Didar, and constable Sumon sustained injuries. Amid the confusion, Kabir managed to flee the scene, still wearing handcuffs. Police have since detained six people suspected for their ‘involvement in the attack and aiding the escape’. Meanwhile, local BNP leaders distanced themselves from Kabir. Fulgazi BNP convener Fakhrul Alam said Kabir had been served a show-cause notice in October last year for violating party discipline. “As his response was deemed unsatisfactory, his position was stayed,” Alam said. Police said legal proceedings are underway regarding both the attack on police personnel and Kabir’s escape.

The National Human Rights Commission(NHRC) has recommended taking action against the authorities concerned for whom a BNP leader had to attend his mother's janaza wearing handcuffs and leg irons in Gazipur. The commission condemned the incent through a press release on Thursday. According to media report, BNP leader Ali Azam was released on parole for three hours on December 20 and was allowed to attend his mother's Namaz-e-janaza. However, he was handcuffed and shackled throughout the parole period that sparked criticism across the country. Read more: Handcuffs, leg irons should’ve been removed during funeral of BNP leader’s mother: Info Minister The commission thinks that taking a prisoner to his mother's funeral with handcuffs and leg irons after being released on parole is not only inhumane but also against the constitution and fundamental human rights of Bangladesh. Besides, the directive of the High Court regarding handcuffing an accused was not followed in this case, it said. In order to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, the Commission urged the authorities concerned to take legal action against those involved in the incident.