Police ruin schoolteacher's family

Abdul Aziz, headmaster of Chanderara Government Primary School in Bagmara, is under suspension for the last 15 months, facing a 'false' case.

His three sons --Mustafizur Rahman, Monimur Rahman and Moshiur Rahman--are fleeing their Hasnipur village home to avoid arrest.

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Talking to this correspondent, Muatafiz alleged that police threatened to arrest him and his two brothers as outlawed Sarbahara Party men if the cheating case filed by him with Rajshahi Judge Court against the fraudulent manpower agents is not withdrawn.

The ordeal began for the family after Mustafiz informed local people in August 2001 that he was cheated of Tk 1.10 lakh by five fake manpower recruiters in the area. The five are Shamsul Alam, Mojibur Rahman, Saidur Rahman, Ajmat Ali Rana and Abdullah Mamun Ponny, who had earlier told local people that they represented the Welfare Trading Corporation (WTC), a manpower exporter based in Dhaka.

Muatafiz gave the amount between October 12, 2000 and August 14, 2001 for going to Saudi Arabia.

Their fraudulence came to light when Muatafiz went to the Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training and the WTC office in Dhaka. WTC officials told him that the above-mentioned persons were not their agents.

Back home despaired, he went to Bagmara thana to file a case but police officials declined to take any case.

This angered the fraud manpower exporters. Saidur demanded Tk two lakh from Mustafiz for 'damaging' their business and threatened of police harassment for non-compliance.

On May 2, 2002, police picked up Mustafiz's younger brother Monimur Rahman. After he was taken to the thana, Saidur filed a 'false' complaint against the schoolteacher and his three sons that they took money from him. The thana officials availed the chance and demanded Tk 25,000 from Monimur for his release. As he failed, he was sent to hajat.

Facing the false charge, Abdul Aziz and his two other sons Mustafiz and Moshiur surrendered before a magistrate court. They, along with Monimur were granted bail by the court.

Mominur and Moshiur were preparing for HSC examination when they faced the ordeal.

Hell befell the family when Abdul Aziz was suspended from service on May 25, 2002 as he faced a case.

The worst was yet to come.

On December 12, 2002, Saidur's brother Abdus Samad filed another case with Bagmara thana against Mustafiz, Moshiur and Mominur that they beat Saidur. Police promptly filed a charge sheet. But the court however rejected it and ordered fresh investigation.

On May 21 this year, Mustafiz filed a case with Rajshahi Judge Court, narrating the ordeals.

The most heinous thing took place on August 11 this year when a policeman from Bagmara thana, also reportedly a relative of Saidur, went to Muatafiz's house and asked his mother to send Mustafiz to the police station with whatever documents he has.

Mustafiz went to the thana. Sub-inspector Sirajul Islam allegedly abused him and at one stage snatched and tore the main document on his giving Tk 90,000 to the manpower agents.

He was then taken to OC Abdul Mutalib Prodhan. The OC allegedly misbehaved with him and asked him to withdraw the case filed with the Judge Court.

Otherwise, he and his brothers would be arrested as a members of outlawed Sarbahara Party, the OC and the SI allegedly threatened him.

As Mustafiz declined, he was kept at the thana hajat. He was released on the next day on alleged payment of Tk 10,000 as bribe and after giving a written undertaking that he would withdraw the case, Mustafiz told this correspondent.

Since then, the three brothers are fleeing home.

Mustafiz lodged a written complaint to the Rajshahi Superintendent of Police on September 8 seeking security of life of the family members.

When contacted on Sunday, Rajshahi SP Anwar Kamal told The Daily Star that he along with detective branch police has started investigation into Mustafiz's allegations.

"The allegations seem to be true. If his allegations are proved in our investigation, departmental action will be taken against the police officials", he said.

In four days, this correspondent tried at least ten times to contact the Bagmara thana OC and SI over phone. "They are not here", was the reply from the other end. "The OC is on leave", a policeman said on Sunday.

When contacted, Rajshahi District Primary Education Officer Abdur Rashid said Abdul Aziz was suspended because he faces a charge. There is legal provision for action in such cases, he said.