Crime and Justice
Leaked Phone Call Exposes Power Rift Inside Awami League During July 2024 Uprising
A leaked phone conversation between senior Awami League leader Obaidul Quader and former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) intelligence chief Harunur Rashid has shed light on growing tensions and blame-shifting within the ruling government during the final phase of the July 2024 uprising. The conversation was published by Amar Desh.
The discussion centered on the detention of six coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement, who were reportedly photographed while being served chow mein—a move that drew sharp disapproval from then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
When questioned by Quader, Harun denied wrongdoing and insisted he had acted under the directives of then-Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. He claimed the order to arrest the six leaders and release their photos came directly from the home minister.
Harun further stated that the home minister’s residence hosted nightly meetings with the Inspector General of Police and senior officials to plan the suppression of the July movement.
Quader rejected these claims, saying Sheikh Hasina had expressed her dissatisfaction with Harun’s actions in the presence of the home minister, who remained silent. Following her instruction, the home minister reportedly initiated Harun’s transfer.
Harun objected to his transfer, questioning, “If I acted under the home minister’s order, what was my fault?” He even suggested that the home minister himself should be questioned.
The six detained leaders—Nahid Islam, Sarjis Alam, Hasnat Abdullah, Abu Bakar Mojumdar, Nusrat Tabassum, and Asif Mahmud—were released on 1 August after a 32-hour hunger strike. Their detention further intensified the July movement.
Crime and Justice
Four killed, including three of a family, in Jamalpur truck collision
Four people, including three members of the same family, were killed after a truck rammed into a motorcycle and an autorickshaw in Melandah upazila of Jamalpur.
Why it matters: This tragic accident on the busy Jamalpur-Dewanganj road has once again highlighted the extreme negligence in road safety and traffic law enforcement. The death of three members of the same family has cast a shadow of mourning over the local community and raised concerns about public safety.
The big picture: Around 10:00 AM, a speeding truck heading towards Jamalpur lost control in the Burunga area and rammed into a motorcycle and an autorickshaw from behind. Morshed Alam, his wife Ikrama, and their eight-month-old child Rifa, who were in the autorickshaw, died on the spot or on the way to the hospital.
Between the lines: Preliminary police investigations suggest that the reckless driving of the truck driver caused this horrific accident. The motorcyclist, Shawkat Ali, was also critically injured after being hit by the same truck and died on the way to the hospital, making the incident fatal for passengers of two separate vehicles.
What’s next: Melandah police station has seized the truck and recovered the bodies of the deceased to begin legal proceedings. The police administration stated that intense efforts are underway to identify and arrest the absconding driver, and preparations are being made to file a formal case regarding the incident.
The bottom line: The untimely death of four people, including three members of a single family, has left the area in mourning. Local observers believe that it will be difficult to reduce such fatalities unless reckless driving is controlled and traffic laws are strictly enforced on the highways.
By the numbers: Among the deceased, Morshed Alam was 25, his wife Ikrama was 23, and their child Rifa was only 8 months old. The other victim, Shawkat Ali, was 40 years old and was traveling to his destination by motorcycle when the accident occurred.
Crime and Justice
Four killed, including three of a family, in Jamalpur truck collision
Four passengers of a motorcycle and an autorickshaw have tragically lost their lives after being struck by a truck in Melandah upazila of Jamalpur.
Why it matters: The death of four people, including three members of the same family, has cast a shadow of mourning over the local community and sparked renewed concerns regarding road safety.
The big picture: Around 10:00 am today, a speeding truck lost control on the Jamalpur-Dewanganj road in the Burunga area and rammed into a motorcycle and an autorickshaw from behind. Autorickshaw passenger Morshed Alam and his wife Ikrama died on the spot, while their eight-month-old child, Rifa, passed away while being transported to the hospital.
Between the lines: The other victim, Shawkat Ali, was riding the motorcycle and succumbed to his injuries while being taken to the hospital. Police have already seized the truck involved in the accident and are arranging to hand over the bodies to the families through legal procedures.
What’s next: Melandah Police Station has initiated an investigation into the incident and is conducting operations to identify and arrest the truck driver. The process to take strict action against the driver under the Road Transport Act is underway.
The bottom line: This accident in Jamalpur is another tragic example of the country’s unregulated road system, where four lives were lost prematurely due to a lack of proper traffic management and driver caution.
By the numbers: Among the four people who lost their lives in the accident, three were members of the same family, including an eight-month-old infant. According to police and local administration, the horrific loss of life occurred in an instant following the truck collision.
Crime and Justice
Husband surrenders to police after strangling wife over suspected extramarital affair in Jashore
Atiar Rahman, a resident of Shantala area in Jashore Sadar Upazila, has surrendered to the police after strangling his wife, Shahanaz Khatun, over suspicions of an extramarital affair.
Why it matters: This brutal murder, driven by domestic strife and suspicion, is an extreme manifestation of social instability that has caused widespread panic among the local community.
The big picture: Atiar Rahman, a mason by profession, had long accused his wife, Shahanaz Khatun, of having an extramarital affair. Despite their divorce four months ago due to these suspicions, the couple had reconciled last week through the mediation of their child, but the reunion lasted only a few days.
Between the lines: According to the victim’s relatives and locals, the accused, Atiar, was addicted to drugs and the couple had been experiencing long-standing marital discord. Late Thursday night, during another argument, Atiar beat his wife and strangled her to death using a gamcha (towel).
Details of the incident: Following the murder around 5:30 AM on Friday, Atiar went to the Kotwali Police Station and surrendered to the authorities. According to the police, the accused is currently in custody, and based on his statement, the police recovered the body and sent it to the Jashore General Hospital morgue for an autopsy.
What’s next: Police stated that the process of taking legal action in this case is underway. It is expected that the judicial process, including the filing of a charge sheet, will begin promptly following the autopsy report and the conclusion of the police investigation.
The bottom line: A broken family, brought back together by the efforts of their child, ultimately ended in a tragic murder due to the poison of suspicion. This incident serves as a stark example of the devastating consequences that drug addiction and domestic intolerance can lead to.
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