Criminals prefer jail to bail

Hardened criminals now prefer jail to bail. Many of them have asked their lawyers not to move bail prayer for them, according to sources close to some criminal and in police.

Some lawyers also said relatives of the alleged criminals have asked them not to move bail petition.

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"Some top criminals in jail and their relatives were requesting us even a few months back to move their bail petition. But the situation is reverse now", said a lawyer preferring anonymity.

Though law enforcers claimed that the deaths were in 'crossfire' during the recovery of arms following their arrest, other sources differ. These deaths were in custody, they said.

The latest victim of such 'crossfire' is top criminal Asadul Islam alias 'Hatkata Asad' of Solaimanpur Uttarpara village in Kotchandpur upazila. He was killed in crossfire with police in the early hours of January 27.

Regional leader of Janajuddho faction of Purba Banglar Communist Party (PBCP) Azijur Rahman of Bherikhali Sanatanpur village in Harinakundu upazila was killed in crossfire at Hingerpara village in the same upazila in the early hours of January 13. Police claimed that the crossfire took place during recovery of arms.

Janajuddah cadre Shanti, 45, was killed in 'crossfire' at Alangi village in Kotchandpur upazila on January 11. Another Janjuddha cadre Goutam, 40, was also killed in the crossfire at Pirojpur village in Kaliganj upazila on the same day.

A regional leader of Janajuddho, Serajul Islam Seraj of Mandartala village in Harinakundu upazila, was killed in a 'crossfire' at Pagla Kanai in Jhenidah town in the early hours of December 25.

A 'shootout' between police and Janajuddho men left two outlaws-- Moktar Hossain and Milal Uddin-- killed at Ghagha village in Kotchandpur upazila in the early hours of December 20.

Top cadre of Janajuddho, Abu Bakar of Alokdia village in Jhenidah sadar upazila was killed in 'crossfire' with police at Talshar village in Kotchandpur upazila on the night of December 13.

Asadur Rahman, a leader of outlawed BCP was killed in a 'crossfire' at Ghorasal village in Jhenidah Sadar upazila on November 25, when DB (Detective Branch) police went to recover arms following his confession after arrest.

Mosharaf Hossain alias Mosha a regional leader of PBCP-Janajuddho was killed in a crossfire with police at Kalpart village in Sadar upazila on Nov.24.

Outlawed BCP leader Shajahan alias Shahaj was killed in a crossfire with Rab at Arutia village in Maheshpur upazila on Novenber 21.

Some other alleged outlaws killed in crossfire include Ehsanul Bari, Turki, Jafirul Islam, Mantu Shawkat Hossain alias Jakir and Mojid. They were killed in different villages in the district during November last year.