Protest in Satkhira demanding punishment for MP Gazi Nazrul

A protest procession and rally were held over the recovery of the hanging body of Mariam Khatun, second wife of Satkhira-4 MP Gazi Nazrul Islam. The programme demanded a proper investigation into the incident and punishment for Gazi Nazrul. At that time, an effigy of Nazrul was burnt.

The programme was held under the banner of 'Sachetan Nagorik Samaj' at the bus stand intersection of Shyamnagar upazila headquarters around 11:30am on Monday, September 21. Over a hundred people participated in it. They held banners and placards. Various slogans were raised against Gazi Nazrul Islam at that time.

At one point, the protesters made an effigy of Gazi Nazrul Islam with straw and cloth. Later, they brought out a procession from the bus stand intersection, went around the upazila parishad road and gathered in front of Shyamnagar Press Club. There, the effigy was set on fire.

Local resident Asadul Islam, who came to join the protest, said, "We believe the young woman was subjected to inhuman torture through a staged drama. She chose the path of suicide only after the level of torture went beyond endurance. A young life has been lost in this incident, and we strongly condemn and protest it. We want a proper investigation into the incident, the responsible person brought under the law and given the maximum punishment. We do not want to see such a person as the MP of Satkhira-4 constituency. If the maximum punishment in law is hanging, then we want him hanged."

Rafiqul Islam, member secretary of Shyamnagar's Bhurulia Union BNP, who participated in the protest, said, "There are allegations against Gazi Nazrul Islam of raping a young woman at various times by showing her the lure of a job. When the matter became known, discussions and protests began locally. Later, we believe attempts were made to hush up the matter through marriage. However, Mariam's death does not appear to us to be a normal suicide. We suspect whether she was killed and then hung afterwards. Therefore, we demand a proper investigation into the incident to bring out the real facts."

A person who identified himself as a Jamaat-e-Islami activist at the protest, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he had worked for Jamaat during the election and also worked as a personal man of Gazi Nazrul Islam. He believes the allegations that have come up against him need to be investigated. He also demanded an investigation into whether anyone else was involved in Mariam's death.

Rabea Khatun, a resident of Sadar upazila, said Gazi Nazrul had run a deceptive campaign about marrying Mariam. If that crime could have been identified at the beginning, Mariam's life could have been saved today.

Rafia Islam of the same area said Gazi Nazrul has dragged Satkhira's honour into the mud. Parliament should ensure not just his dismissal but also arrangements for his trial.

On Sunday evening, police recovered the hanging body of Gazi Nazrul's second wife, Mariam, from a flat in the Nyam building opposite the Parliament building. Later at night, police took MP Gazi Nazrul Islam and his first wife Makchuda into custody.

That night, Mariam's father, S M Masum Billah, filed a case against MP Gazi Nazrul Islam, his wife Makchuda Islam and the deceased's uncle Obaidur Rahman on charges of abetment of suicide.

Gazi Nazrul Islam, his first wife Makchuda Begum and Mariam's uncle Obaidur Rahman were made accused in the case. Police arrested Gazi Nazrul and his wife in that case.

On Monday, police took Gazi Nazrul Islam on a four-day remand and his first wife Makchuda Begum on a one-day remand in the case of abetment of his second wife Mariam's suicide. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Ehsanul Islam gave the order after a hearing in the afternoon.

Earlier, a video of Mariam's personal moments with Gazi Nazrul Islam spread on social media, creating discussion. Later, Gazi Nazrul said the young woman was his second wife. Jamaat-e-Islami subsequently expelled him from the party.