Taqi murder probe lingers after 13 years

Family members and leaders of various political, social, and civic organisations visited the grave of Tanwir Muhammad Taqi yesterday morning, marking the 13th anniversary of the teenager’s murder in Narayanganj.

Expressing frustration over the lack of justice even after more than a decade, they demanded the investigation be completed and the charge sheet filed without further delay.

Around 10:00am, mourners visited Taqi’s grave at Siraj Shah’s shrine in the Puran Bandar area and offered prayers seeking eternal peace for his soul.

Prior to this, several organisations laid wreaths at the grave to pay tribute. These included Shantrash Nirmul Taqi Mancha, Narayanganj Sanskriti Jote, Khelaghar Ashor, Ganosamhati Andolon, Kranti Khelaghar Ashor, Somomona, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, Udichi Shilpigosthi, and Anubhob.

Those present included Taqi’s father, cultural activist Rafiur Rabbi, his younger son Rakib Muhammad Saki, member secretary of Shantrash Nirmul Taqi Mancha Halim Azad, former president of Narayanganj Sanskritik Jote Ziaul Islam Kajol, general secretary Dina Tajrin, former general secretary Dhiman Saha Jewel, district coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon Tariqul Suzon, executive coordinator Anjan Das, city convener Niamur Rashid Biplob, district president of the Communist Party Hafizul Islam, NAP general secretary Awlad Hossain, among others.

Taqi was abducted on March 6, 2013, and his body was recovered two days later from a canal connected to the Shitalakhhya River. A year later, the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) disclosed details of the killing at a press conference, outlining where, how, and on whose orders the murder was carried out.

On March 5, 2014, then Rab Additional Director General Ziaul Ahsan stated that 11 people, led by Azmeri Osman, nephew of former Awami League lawmaker Shamim Osman, were involved in Taqi’s killing.

According to the investigation, Taqi’s father Rabbi had angered Shamim Osman and his associates by supporting then mayoral candidate Selina Hayat Ivy in the 2011 city corporation election and by mobilising opposition to alleged extortion and land grabbing by the lawmaker. Rabbi’s son was reportedly killed in retaliation. Following the death of Shamim Osman’s brother, lawmaker Nasim Osman, on April 30, 2014, then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed support for the Osman family in parliament. According to Taqi’s family members, the judicial process in the murder case has effectively stalled since then.