Main accused dropped from charge sheet, victims' relatives claim

This was alleged by Taslima Begum, daughter of slain Haji Abu Taher and relatives of two other victims Yousuf Dalal and Alam Majhi at a press conference held in the town on Friday.

They alleged that Monpura Police have submitted the charge-sheet by dropping names of the main accused, Abdul Mannan Chairman of Hajirhat union parished (UP), Seraj and their accomplices.

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Rivals killed the victims over lease of Char Nizam fish ghat on September 4 in 2003.

In a written statement they alleged that a gang of pirates patronised by ruling BNP leaders in Monpura used to commit piracy, collect toll from fishermen in the Meghna and at Char Nizam fish ghat for long. On the fateful day, the pirates chased Taher Haji's trawler to Latakhali. The victims took shelter in the house of Selim, a leader of Monpura unit of JCD. The killers searched and found the victims, Abu Taher, Yousuf Dalal and Alam Majhi and were beaten to death.

It was alleged that three separate cases were filed with Monpura thana. But police recorded a case only filed by Abul Kalam.

They also alleged that the killers had been threatening them to withdraw the case. They urged the prime minister, home minister, local parliament member and administration for a fair trial and an investigation of the case by the criminal investigation department (CID).

Rezia Begum wife of slain Taher, Rabeya Begum, wife of Yousuf Dalal and other relatives were also present in the conference.