Accused murderer Aslam Fakir remains at large

The police have not been able to catch Faridpur’s notorious Aslam Fakir who is facing murder charges yet again.

This political activist of the ruling party is the main accused in the murder of Shaheed Matubbar, who was killed 14 days ago in the village Lakshmipur of Bhanga upazila, Faridpur district.

He had previously been imprisoned on murder charges, but was released through presidential pardon on political consideration.

The seven accused persons who have meanwhile been arrested in connection with the Shaheed Matubbar murder, in their confessional statements under Section 164 in court, have said that Aslam Fakir led the attack on Matubbar’s house.

He called them from their homes and instructed them to attack the house and damage the property. When they carried out the attack with knives, cleavers and such weapons, Matubbar tried to obstruct them. He was assaulted in the attack and died.

The local people said that an altercation broke out between two households in Lakshmipur of Manikdaha union over rainwater spilling from the tin roof of one house to the compound of the other.

When the two sides clashed, Aslam Fakir and his men came and chased the supporters of Shahjahan Matubbar of the area. Aslam’s men attacked and injured one of Shahjahan Matubbar’s men Shaheed.

Shaheed later died in Faridpur Medical College. He was an activist of the local member of parliament Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury (Nixon Chowdhury). A case has been filed in this regard against 54 persons including Aslam Fakir.

Shaheed Matubbar’s wife Sajeda Begum had expressed her anger that 14 days have passed since the murder but the main accused remains at large. Speaking to Prothom Alo, she said, “I have heard that this accused murderer is roaming around freely in the village in broad daylight. Everyone has seen him, but the police are not arresting him.”

Faridpur police superintendent Alimuzzaman told Prothom Alo that they would catch him any moment now.

This infamous Aslam Fakir used to be the Faridpur sadar upazila Jubo League president. After release from jail under presidential pardon in 2017, he resumed local politics.

He had previously been sentenced to death for the murder to Manikdaha union chairman AKM Shahed Ali. But Awami League presidium member and former member of parliament of Faridpur-4, Kazi Zafrullah, used his influence not only to transmute the death sentence, but also to have him released. The local people say that now too, Zafrullah is protecting him.

In the meantime, Shaheed Matubbar’s uncle Shahjahan Matubbar, plaintiff in the case, has told Prothom Alo that he is receiving death threats. He is scared and has approached the local police in this regard.

When asked why such a notorious person like Aslam Fakir has not been arrested as yet, home minister Asaduzzaman Khan told Prothom Alo, “I have apprised the prime minister of the details of this matter. She has directed that no accused should escape free. So no matter how close Aslam Fakir is to any powerful and influential leader, he will have to face the law. The police are looking for him.”