Please - Odhikar

Abul Qulam Azad alias Suman was the first son of Mr. Abdul Hakim who was a resident of
259/1, West Goran (Purbo Goran) under the police station of Khilgaon. Suman worked as a
Cashier in a company named Laurel Enterprise at the tempo stand at Goran. The RAB members
arrested him from his office at 9:30 pm on May 30 and took him away, the victim's family
alleged. The next day at around 4 pm the police of the police station of Khilgaon recovered
Suman's body from the Banosree area of Khilgaon.
Suman's mother, Amela Begum has been dumbstruck since the incident. She managed to talk to
Odhikar in brief. She said that at around 8:30 pm on May 30, 2005 Suman left home for work.
Mr. Abdul Hakim, Shuman's father, told Odhikar that they were a lower middle class family.
Suman is the eldest of his two daughters and a son and was unmarried. When he (Suman's
father) was returning home at around 10 pm, one of Suman's friend, informed him that RAB had
picked up Suman. On hearing the news he rushed home and then went to Khilgaon Police
Station with Suman's mother. Having kept them waiting till 11 pm, the police officers told them
that RAB had arrested Suman. Suman's father went to the DB Office on Minto Road for
information about Shuman but found nothing. Then he and his wife went to the office of RAB-3
at Tikatuli at around 2:30 am. When he was asking the constable on duty at the gate about
Suman's arrest, he saw a white jeep waiting to go out. He saw Suman in that jeep. After a while
a constable came, scolded them and turned them out. They returned home at around 3 am. When
seeing Suman in the jeep he presumed that RAB was going to hand Suman over to the police
station. He went to the police station again at around 5 am and saw Suman lying inside the pickup,
wearing jeans and a grey full-sleeved shirt. His shirt was drawn up to his chest. He then
realised that Suman was no longer alive. He went to Suman's maternal grandfather and informed
all of the matter. Suman's father alleged that RAB killed his son to gain political interest.
A worker of Laurel Enterprise, Roni (16) informed Odhikar that Suman, Bidyut, Hanif and he
were in the spot at around 9 pm. At that time three people wearing civil dress were strolling
outside the shop. All of a sudden they entered the shop and asked their names. When Suman said
his name, they tied his eyes with a piece of black cloth. Afterwards, they tied Bidyut's and
Hanif's eyes in the same way. Later, they pointed a pistol towards Suman and said, "Don't make
a phone call to your leader". Then they took them away by taxicab.
A worker of a neighboring shop, Rubel (18) informed Odhikar that he had come out of his shop
on hearing the hue and cry and saw RAB had arrested Suman, Bidyut and Hanif. At that time he
saw three people wearing jackets used by RAB.
Local Jubo League Leader, Shahabuddin informed Odhikar that Suman was the Joint Convener
of the Jubo League of Ward No. 25. He planned to compete for the position of president in the
next convention. Shahabuddin also said that earlier Suman was involved in BNP politics. He
joined Awami League nearly a year ago.
After his joining Awami League he started participating actively in different political programs.
In the meantime he brought out a leaflet on the debatable Khilgaon Flyover, bearing a message
from the former Member of Parliment (Awami League) Saber Hossain Chowdhury. He had an
argument during Jumma prayer with the Vice-president of Dhaka Metropolitan Chhatra Dal,
Rubel regarding distribution of leaflets. At that time Rubel threatened Suman. As Suman was a
good organizer, the local Awami League became stronger after Suman's joining the party, said
Report 2005
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