Chattogram shooting: Hakim not affiliated with BNP, says Rizvi

Abdul Hakim, who was shot dead by armed miscreants in Raozan on Tuesday, was not involved in BNP politics, senior BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi confirmed on Wednesday.

In a statement, Rizvi said the killing resulted from an internal conflict among criminal groups vying for dominance. “This violent incident reflects the deteriorating law and order situation in the country. It has created fear among local residents, who are living in insecurity amid widespread uncertainty and instability,” he said.

Rizvi emphasized that neither the victim nor the perpetrators were BNP members. “Some media reports claiming Hakim was a BNP worker are completely baseless,” he added.

The BNP leader also criticized law enforcement for failing to act against illegal weapons circulating in society, saying miscreants have been emboldened by administrative inaction. He called on the government to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure exemplary punishment.

Despite the central BNP leadership’s statement, followers of BNP leader Gias Uddin Qader Chowdhury staged protests in Raozan after the killing. Raozan Upazila BNP Joint Convenor Firoz Ahmad said Hakim was a supporter of the BNP and a local businessman, and investigations into the attack are ongoing.

Locals said Hakim, the son of the late Ali Madan Chowdhury of Panchkhain in Baguan Union, was a follower of Gias Uddin Qader Chowdhury but held no party position. He became active in BNP politics in Raozan after the fall of the Awami League government in 2024.

According to police and eyewitnesses, Hakim was traveling from his village farmhouse to Chattogram city with another person when a group of armed motorcyclists opened fire near the water treatment area in Madunaghat. Two people were shot, and Hakim was declared dead at a private hospital.

Sources said Hakim had been involved with BNP politics since 1991, briefly joined the Awami League around 2022, and returned to BNP activities after the government change in 2024. He also controlled an illegal sand business in the Karnaphuli area.