Krishnanagar, Aug. 16: Police on Sunday arrested three persons, including Fatema Bibi, Trinamool Congress chief of Haranagar panchayat, in connection with the murder of senior Pradesh Congress leader Anisur Rahman, 54, and his son Abu Sufian, 23.
Sufian was a lawyer and scheduled to leave for London for additional studies in law.
Fatema’s close associates Saheb Ali Mandal and Mithu Sheikh were also arrested. All three were produced before a court after medical examination, with police seeking their custody for interrogation. The court ordered nibe days police custody.
The attack took place around 9.30pm on Saturday when Anisur, who was also secretary of party’s Nadia unit, returning home with his son in a Maruti Dzire. Near a railway underpass, a black Scorpio allegedly blocked their vehicle. As soon as the car stopped, the attackers opened fire at the Anisur and Sufian, who was on the steering, firing several rounds before dragging them out of the vehicle and repeatedly hacking them with sharp weapons to ensure death. The two collapsed in a pool of blood. They were subsequently taken to hospital Nakashipara block hospital where doctors declared them dead.
Police beginning the probe so far arrested three persons indicating that the double murder was the result of a carefully planned political conspiracy.
SP Krishnanagar police district Atul V said, “Three persons have been arrested. It would be too early to comment about the motive behind the murder and persons involved behind”.
The family members of the victim’s have alleged that the murder was masterminded by jailed Trinamool leader Jubbar Sheikh, Haranagar area committee president, whom they describe as Anisur’s political rival and an influential figure in the area.
The arrest of Jubbar’s wife, Fatema Bibi, has added a significant political dimension to the allegation. The family claims that despite being behind bars, Jubbar continued to exercise influence through his followers outside and that the attack may have been carried out at his behest. Investigators are also examining whether professional contract killers were engaged for the operation.
According to local political sources, Anisur’s influence and popularity had been growing, while the group owing allegiance to Jubbar was increasingly losing ground.
Anisur’s wife and his sister Rokeya have also alleged that Jubbar’s network remained active in the area despite his incarceration.”Even in the BJP rule, they enjoys stong authority”, said Rokeya Biwi while demanding an impartial and comprehensive investigation, including identification of everyone who planned, financed or executed the killings.
The Congress has seized on the incident to launch a broader political offensive against the Trinamool government. The Pradesh Congress on Sunday observed a statewide ‘Black Day’ in protest against the killings. State Congress president Subhankar Sarkar, who along with party colleague Amitabha Chakraborty rushed to Nadia to express condolence to the bereaved family members, has alleged that attempts were being made to silence minorities and political opponents in Bengal. “Congress will continue its fight against attempts to silence minorities and the opposition in this state,” Sarkar said.
Party sources said Anisur was close to former state Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. Condemning the killings, Chowdhury said, “The present government came to power with the slogan ‘Fear Out, Trust In’. Such a heinous incident on Independence Day raises serious questions about the security of the people and their right to participate in politics freely.” He also said the Congress stood firmly with the bereaved family and demanded a proper investigation and punishment for those responsible.
The two bodies were brought to Shaktinagar Hospital in Krishnanagar on Sunday morning for post-mortem examination. The family requested that the forensic examination and post-mortem be conducted at the same facility to preserve and examine evidence properly. Following the request, police have initiated arrangements for the forensic examination and post-mortem at JNM Hospital in Kalyani, according to preliminary information.