Sigh of relief in Cholon Beel as outlaws surrender
6 to face trial for 'serious crimes'
Surrender of 105 outlaws belonging to outlawed has brought back peace and a sense of security in minds of people in greater Cholon Beel area in Sirajganj and Natore districts.
Last week, 104 outlaws belonging to Purba Banglar Communist Party (PBCP) surrendered to police at remote Katagari Hat in Tarash upazila. Another surrendered on the following day.
Six of the outlaws -- Rejaul Karim, convener of Krishak Sramik Mukti Front, Bishu, Gobinda, Dabaria, Jamal Uddin and Jahurul Islam -- were sent to jail as they were wanted in cases for murder, robbery and abduction, police said.
The six will face legal process while the others got 'general amnesty' upon their promise to lead normal life.
With the help of local administration, the surrendered extremists have started normal life in their own areas and got involved in different professions like farming, fishery and small businesses, said Ayub Ali, Assistant Superintendent of Police of Raiganj Circle.
He however said police teams are monitoring their activities so that they do not go back to the underworld, he said.
Earlier, in absence of proper vigilance by law enforcers, greater Cholon Beel area covering Tarah, Raiganj and Ullapara upazila in Sirajganj; Sherpur upazila in Bogra; and Singra and Gurudashpur upazila in Natore became safe dens for outlaws who realised toll and were involved in robbery, abduction and murder. Several incidents of killing over establishing supremacy among rival groups also took place in last one year.
The extremists used to target local Union Parishad leaders, rich farmers and traders for extortion and would even commit murder in case of failure to get their demand fulfilled.
They killed four policemen and looted firearms and ammunition in their attack on Randhunibari and Bamihal police outposts on September 17, 2002 and December 19, 2005.
During the present caretaker government, law enforcement agencies started tough action against the extremists in the area.
While visiting areas in greater Chalon Beel in Sirajganj and Natore districts yesterday, this correspondent saw 'forgiven' extremists working as householders as the administration assured them of government lands and ponds for fish cultivation and low-interest loans.
"I got inspiration to surrender when ASP Ayub Ali advised me to lead normal life. He also assured me all assistance on condition of leaving anti-social activities," said former PBCP member Tazir Uddin of Boldipara village in Tarash upazila.
Surman Ali of Talom village in Tarash upazila, who also left PBCP, said he was absconding for long in fear of police action but decided to surrender when he heard about the assurance from authorities. Now he is planning to set up a grocery shop at the local market to lead a normal life, he added.
Khalilur Rahman, chairman of Deshigram Union Parishad (UP); Amirul Islam Graho, chairman of Naogaon Union Parishad; former UP chairman Jamsher Ali, Fakir Abul Khayer and Rahmat Ali said people in the area can now move freely and sleep peacefully after surrender of the extremists.
But a number of PBCP leaders and activists including woman 'area commander' Nurzahan Begum, Abu Sayed, Shahjahan Ali, Bablu, Poresh, Kana Rashid and Huzur Ali are yet to surrender or be arrested, sources said.
The outlaws may try to reorganise and cause problem for those who surrendered as well as for people.
The surrendered outlaws have urged the law enforcers to take immediate steps to nab these who are yet to be netted, police sources said.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments