'Missing' MP now seeks HC bail

Amid police "failure" to find him in the last nine days, ruling Awami League lawmaker Manzurul Islam Liton yesterday sought anticipatory bail in a case filed for shooting a minor boy in Gaibandha's Sundarganj upazila.

Liton's lawyer AM Ariful Islam submitted the bail petition to the High Court on the lawmaker's behalf.

Moksadul Islam, principal counsel for the petitioner, told The Daily Star that Liton might be in Gaibandha now and that he would appear before the HC when the petition would be heard.

He said his client sought anticipatory bail, as the lower court might not grant him bail due to reported sensation surrounding the allegation brought against him.

Moksadul further said it was not decided when they would move the petition before the HC.

Contacted, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said his office would seriously oppose the bail petition.

The lawmaker from Gaibandha-1 stands accused of shooting 10-year-old Sourav Mia in Sundarganj upazila on October 2.

Sourav's father Saju Mia filed a case with Sundarganj Police Station the next day.

Liton and his family members went into hiding after the incident.

He surrendered his two firearms to the police through his men. Later, the licences of those firearms were cancelled.

Law enforcers have repeatedly been claiming they could not trace Liton.

The shooting incident caused a furore across the country. Different socio-political organisations brought out protest processions in Dhaka and Gaibandha in the last few days, demanding punishment to the lawmaker.

Yesterday, hundreds of people formed a human chain in Sundarganj, demanding immediate arrest of Liton, reports our Gaibandha correspondent.

They carried placards and chanted slogans against the lawmaker. They also termed him a lunatic.

Abdullah-Al-Mamun, mayor of Sundarganj municipality, said they had called off agitation after the prime minister assured them of taking steps against the MP, but Liton was yet to be arrested.