Serving life term for police negligence
Mokor Kanti Chakma
Innocent indigenous farmer Mokor Kanti Chakma, 45, is serving life term in a murder case due to negligence and whimsical action by police. This was revealed during investigation by police and the administration. Mokor Kanti is in Khagrachhari jail since June 15, 2006 instead of convict Kala Dhaon Chakma, sources said. Najmul Islam Khokon was murdered on March 10, 1985 at Bajaichhara village in Dighinala upazila of Khagrachhari district. His brother-in-law Moulabi Abul Hossen field a case (no GR 20/85) with Dighinala police station accusing three persons--Kala Dhon Chakma, Anil Chandra Chakma and Ranjit Kumar Chakma. The charge sheet of the case was submitted by Investigation Officer (IO) SI Mohammad Sirajul Islam of Dighinala police station. In the verdict of the case, pronounced on June 30, 1987, Chittagong Sessions Judge G S Dhar gave life term rigorous imprisonment to the three accused in absentia. But police could not arrest any of the fugitive convicts for long. On June 14, 2006, the then officer-in-charge (OC) of Dighinala police station Main Uddin Bhuiyan arrested Mokor Kanti Chakma from Dighinala Bazar taking him to be Kala Dhon Chakma. After his arrest, his father Purna Kumar Chakma filed a petition to police claiming that his son was innocent and not involved in the murder of Kokon. But the matter was hushed up, sources said. As the matter came to light and created confusion, Dighinala Upazila Nirbahi Officer Moniruzzaman Mia and Sub-inspector Badiuzzaman visited the village early this month to investigate it. In the report submitted to Khagrachhari Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shahadat Hossain, the UNO said Mokor Kanti Chakma was arrested instead of convict Kala Dhone Chakma in Knokon murder case. Badiuzzaman said he still can not say why Mokor Kanti was arrested. This correspondent also talked to complainant of the case Mohammad Abul Hossen, superintendent of Bara Merung Ebtataye Madrasha. He said police arrested Mokor Kanti Chakma taking him to be absconding Kala Dohnn Chakma. Mokor kanti is an innocent poor farmer and is known in the area, he said. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Fayjul Hoque said he is investigating the matter for a final check-up. Additional District Magistrate Monindra Kishor Majumder, when contacted, said he is also investigating the matter. It is inhuman that one person has been serving life term instead of the real killer, he said. Mokor Kanti was the bread earner for his five-member family including three daughters-- Champa Chakma, 15, Dipa Chakma, 8, and Jonaki Chakma, 6. Champa is a student of class nine and Dipa is a student of class two, said his wife Jatna Prava Chakma. She said her family is being ruined in absence of her husband.
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