PM’s adviser angry with police’s role during killing of Avijit

FE Team | Published: March 15, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

An adviser to the prime minister has lashed out at police's role during the murder of writer-blogger Avijit Roy near the apparently secure Amar Ekushey Book Fair and Shahbagh thana, report agencies.
Mr Imam also ordered action against police officials for 'negligence of duty' because the murder took place 'right in front of the nose of the police'.
The political affairs adviser to Prime Minister, was speaking at a Dhaka University seminar Saturday.
Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque was also present on the occasion.
He said the murder of Avijit happened because the killers of legendary writer Humayun Azad went unpunished.
"I think Avijit's murder would not have taken place if the murderers of Humayun Azad were punished following proper investigation," he said.
"It is unacceptable that the murder of Avijit took place right in front of the nose of police," he added.
US-based writer-blogger Avijit was hacked to death just a few yards away from the Book Fair and Shahbagh Police Station on February 26. His wife Rafida Ahmed Bonya was also wounded in the attack. Bonya alleged police personnel stood like mute spectators and watched the attackers flee.
"I know many cases where police on duty were asked for help but they did not arrive," Mr Imam said.
He ordered identification of such police officials and strong action against them.
"Policemen who are not helping people, are the black sheeps of the service. Find and punish them. Then people's faith in police will return. Violation of human rights will also stop," he added.
The adviser to PM also reminded of taking steps against those responsible for the attacks on police personnel and stations during verdict of war crimes and the 10th parliamentary election.
An organisation 'Journey' organised the seminar on police's contribution in the Liberation War and their role in protecting democracy and human rights.
UNB report adds: A Dhaka court Saturday placed Shafiur Rahman Farabi, the prime suspect in the expatriate writer-blogger Avijit Roy murder case, on a five-day fresh remand in another case filed under the ICT Act.
Metropolitan Magistrate M Mostafizur Rahman passed the order when Inspector of Detective Branch (DB) of police Muhammad Fazlur Rahman, also the investigation officer of the case, produced him before his court on completion of his 10-day remand in the murder case and sought another 10 days' police custody in the ICT case.
Muhammad Wahiduzzaman, sub-inspector of Ramna Police Station, filed the case against Farabi on Saturday morning.
Earlier on March 3, a Dhaka court placed him on a 10-day remand in the Avijit murder case.
Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested Farabi from Jatrabari area in the city on March 2 in connection with the gruesome killing of the blogger.