AL likely to purge Hazari of guilt

In a cleansing drive within, the AL formed a three-member committee last month to probe the activities by its former lawmaker from Feni who has gone into hiding since the last general elections. Over a dozen and a half criminal cases are pending against him.

The investigation report is expected to be submitted next week after the team winds up its visit to Feni, said a committee member. The investigators set out for Feni in a day or two.

"The party high command has enough reason to take action against him," the committee member said.

The committee has already amassed a 500-page document against Hazari, he said.

AL Joint Secretary and head of the probe body, Syed Asharful Islam, MP, also confirmed the inquiry against Hazari is at the final stage.

"The inquiry followed after followers of Hazari marred a party meeting in Feni on May 31. But we are also checking all the previous allegations brought against him in depth," he said.

The committee already talked with Feni party leaders and workers, both from the camps of Hazari and his opponents.

Victims of the Hazari and his men that included journalist Tipu Sultan also submitted statements to the committee. The Amnesty International and French Embassy in Dhaka voluntarily provided reports, accusing Hazari of torturing Tipu, said a committed member.

Sources said the probe report will also recommend party high command to abolish Feni district unit of the AL and the infamous 'Class Committee' formed by Hazari.

Hazari might be absconding but his words still matter in Feni.

The district Awami League workers' meeting, which was attended by central leaders including party General Secretary Abdul Jalil MP, had ended in a fiasco following rowdy demonstration by the supporters of Hazari. The incident left 10 people injured.

A meeting of the Awami League Central Working Committee (ALCWC) on June 4 suspended 19 leaders of the AL and its front organisations of the district unit for the incident, most of whom are either Hazari's relatives or close associates.

Hazari however escaped immediate punishment as the ALCWC meeting resolved that Hazari might not have masterminded the attack since he appeared to be out of country. But a committee was formed to examine further the involvement of others.

The Syed Ashraful Islam-led committee, that also includes Bir Bahadur, MP, and Fazle Rabbi, was assigned to submit its report within two weeks.

"The atmosphere of Feni is not conducive for carrying out any investigation properly. For this, we have to summon party activists in Dhaka. It delayed our work," said Ashraful when asked about the delay.

"Since we have been digging into all past allegations against Hazari, we need more time," he added.