Palak offers apology over attack on Natore chairman candidate

State Minister for Information and Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak on Friday expressed regret and offered an apology over the abduction and beating of a chairman candidate in Natore’s Singra Upazila.

He assured that those involved in the incident would be given fair trial, and no one would be spared from punishment.

Palak on Friday visited Delwar Hossain, who was reportedly abducted and tortured by the state minister's brother-in-law and is currently undergoing treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH). 

The state minister went to Rajshahi by air in the morning. Some leaders of Singra Upazila Awami League were with him when he went to RMCH to visit Delwar. 

At the hospital, Palak spoke to the sick Delwar Hossain and his two brothers. He also inquired about Delwar’s health to the doctor, and urged to give the patient the best treatment.

Later, the state minister answered questions from journalists. 

Palak said: “I was abroad. On Thursday, I returned home. However, I have always inquired about the incident from abroad. I could not have imagined that such an incident would happen in Natore. I am ashamed, sorry and apologize for this incident. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is keeping track of this incident.”

The culprits will be brought to justice, said the state minister. 

Delwar Hossain’s brother has filed a case with police against unnamed accused over the incident. Police have arrested two people. One of them confessed to the crime and gave a statement in the court. 

In that statement, he said that they committed the incident on behalf of Awami League leader and election candidate Lutful Habib.

In response to the questions of journalists, Palak said: “I will not deny that Lutful Habib is my relative. But neither he nor anyone else will get extra benefits due to kinship or political reasons. Rather, measures will be taken which will set an example for the MP-minister's relatives. We will take organizational action on the part of the party regarding the accused persons in a very short period of time.”

According to the case filed over the incident, upazila unit Swechchhasebak League General Secretary Mohan Ali and his associates forced Delwar Hossain, the victim, into a microbus while he was returning home after submitting the nomination form online on Monday. 

They then tortured him and left him unconscious in front of his village house.

The seriously injured Delwar was taken to the hospital and shifted to the ICU of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital at midnight after his condition became critical.

Later, at least 10 people were identified after analyzing CCTV footage of the incident.

Among the 10 people are the manager of a business run by Delwar’s rival candidate, Lutful Habib Rubel, and the latter’s chauffeur.

Most of those identified are leaders and activists of the Juba League, Swechchhasebak League and Sramik League, according to sources. 

Delwar's brother Mujibur Rahman filed the case with Natore Sadar police station against 20 to 25 unidentified men later on Monday night.

The victims alleged that Singra Upazila Parishad chairman candidate Lutful Habib and his associates were involved in the incident.

 Lutful Habib is upazila Awami League joint general secretary and State Minister Palak’s brother-in-law.