Urgent trial needed after investigation into murders in Roazan

The incidents of murder and counter-murder in Chattogram’s Roazan seem to surpass even action movies. For over 40 years, murders and retaliatory killings have been taking place in this upazila, yet there has been no proper investigation or justice. As a result, crime continues to rise. Since August 5 last year, following the July mass uprising that toppled the Awami League government, 12 people have been murdered in Roazan. Among them, seven were political party leaders and activists. Many others have been shot, injured, or harmed in other ways.

According to news published on Sunday, May 3, murders and retaliatory killings are not a new phenomenon in Roazan. Local residents, politicians, and police sources reveal that these violent acts have been going on for almost four decades. While the exact number of those killed is unclear, estimates suggest that the number could range between 100 and 110. In addition, many people have been maimed. Shootings, attacks, and retaliatory violence have become everyday occurrences in Roazan.

Local residents state that after the mass uprising in July and the toppling of the Awami League government, a power struggle began between two factions of the BNP in Roazan. Within the last eight months, several political figures have fallen victim to violence, including three members of the Jubo Dal (Komar Uddin, Ibrahim, Manik Abdullah) and four members of the Awami League (Abdul Mannan, Muhammad Yusuf Mia, Abu Taher, Muhammad Hasan). Additionally, a businessman, Jahangir Alam, was killed. The accused in these cases are reportedly involved with local BNP politics.

The repeated occurrences of murder and political violence have severely worsened the law and order situation in Roazan. In the past eight months, three different officers-in-charge (OCs) have been transferred, but the situation has not improved. Local residents report that neither the upazila administration nor the police administration has control in Roazan. For many years, personal control has prevailed in the area. When one individual leaves, another takes their place, but the violence persists.

Local sources also reveal that there have been many high-profile murder cases in Roazan, none of which have resulted in justice. In these cases, all the accused have been acquitted. We demand that proper investigations be conducted into these murders, and that the criminals be brought to justice. If the law and order situation does not improve, the incidents of murder will only increase in Roazan, leading to more loss of life. The violence in Roazan could eventually spread to neighboring upazilas. In a modern state, such medieval-like bloodshed cannot continue.