Seven IOs changed but little progress in last 9 years
The investigation into 2001 bomb attack on Baniarchar Catholic Church has yet been continuing and seven investigation officers have been changed in the meantime.
At first Muksudpur police and later CID police have been probing the attack for last nine years.
CID has changed the investigation officer (IO) of the case for at least seven times till now.
At least 10 people were killed and 50 others injured in a bomb attack on Baniarchar Catholic Church under Muksudpur upazila by the side of Gopalganj-Tekerhat road early morning on June 3, 2001 while weekly prayer was in progress in the church.
Gopalganj CID office sources said after the incident police filed two separate cases with Muksudpur police station on charges of murder and in explosives act. After a few months the case was transferred to CID. CID arrested nine people including Basudev Saha, a businessman of Tekerhat. CID identified the incident as a result of internal feud of local Christian community.
Later Rab arrested Harkatul Jihad (Huji) leader Mufti Abdul Hannan. CID inspector Fazlur Rahman interrogated Mufti Hannan at the Rab headquarters in Dhaka.
After Mufti Hannan gave confessional statement in a Dhaka court CID showed him arrested in Baniarchar bomb attack case.
Present IO of the case Sheikh Md Akhteruzzaman said Mufti Hannan could not be interrogated so far for different reasons. When he will be brought to Gopalganj for appearing in the court remand would be sought for him. He said there is possibility of charge sheet being submitted in the case soon.
"It seems we will not be able to see the justice done in this case in our lifetime. Investigation officers have been changed almost every year," Sukhram Halder, father of Sumon who was killed in the bomb attack, said.
District Awami League president Mohammad Ali Khan Abu Miah said, the case was shelved for so long on political consideration.
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