Killers of Udichi massacre remain behind the curtain

The perpetrators of the brutal bombing at Udichi’s conference in Jashore have remained behind the curtain. Even after 26 years, those responsible for the country’s first militant attack have not been brought to justice. Due to legal and administrative weaknesses, all the charge-sheeted accused were acquitted. Although efforts were made to revive the case through the higher court, it has remained stalled for the past 15 years.

The prolonged lack of justice has left the families of the victims and the injured frustrated.

In this situation, the 26th anniversary of the Udichi Tragedy Day will be observed on Thursday (March 6).

On March 6, 1999, two powerful bomb blasts were carried out at the 12th National Conference of Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi at the Jashore Town Hall grounds. The explosion killed 10 people, including artists, and injured more than 250 innocent individuals.

The deceased were Nazmul Huda Tapan, Sandhya Rani Ghosh, Nur Islam, Elias Munshi, Babul Sutradhar, Shah Alam Milon, Mohammad Bulu, Ratan Kumar Bishwas, Shah Alam Pintu, and Babu Ramkrishna.

Following the attack, two separate cases were filed under the Explosives Act and murder charges. Initially investigated by Kotwali police, the cases were later transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). On December 14, 1999, the CID filed a charge sheet in court, accusing 24 people, including BNP central leader and former minister Tariqul Islam. However, Tariqul Islam was later released from the case following a petition to the High Court.

After seven years of legal proceedings, on May 30, 2006, all the accused were acquitted, shocking progressive circles across the country, including in Jashore.

According to court sources, the flawed charge sheet by the CID was a major reason for the acquittal. The government later appealed against the verdict in the higher court, reviving the case.

During interrogation after his arrest, notorious militant leader Mufti Hannan confessed to police about his involvement in the Udichi conference bombing. Based on this, authorities initiated a reinvestigation, and Mufti Hannan was even brought to Jashore for questioning in the murder case.

On June 8, 2010, the High Court began hearing the appeal against the Udichi case verdict. A High Court bench consisting of Justice Siddiqur Rahman Miah and Krishna Debnath ordered a notice to be issued to the accused through the trial court. This notice arrived at Jashore Chief Judicial Magistrate Court on July 26, 2010. Following the High Court's directive, the acquitted accused surrendered before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court and obtained bail. However, since then, no further progress has been made, leaving the case entangled in legal complexities.

Frustrated by the prolonged trial, the people of Jashore have demanded a speedy resolution to the case.

Jashore’s Public Prosecutor (PP) Syed Saberul Haque Sabu alleged that former Minister Tariqul Islam was falsely implicated in the Udichi murder case due to political vendetta by the then-government. According to him, Tariqul Islam was one of the first responders at the scene, arranging treatment for the injured and organizing blood donations through mosque announcements.

He further claimed that political interference by the government at that time prevented fair justice in the case. However, he acknowledged that no hearings or proceedings related to the Udichi case had taken place since he assumed office.

On Thursday, Udichi's district chapter will observe Udichi Tragedy Day with a series of events throughout the day:

10:00 AM: Tribute at the martyr’s memorial at Town Hall Ground

11:00 AM: Discussion and remembrance session at Udichi office

7:15 PM: Torch lighting at the martyr’s memorial