Bangladesh News

After around eight years in hiding abroad, former Awami League lawmaker Shamim Osman, the once feared godfather of organised crime in Narayanganj, appears getting back to ‘his usual self’, say locals.

An accused in 11 cases and sentenced to over 11 years in prison in absentia, he is out to regain the lost turf by means of terror and intimidation in the port town.

With the case proceedings against him stayed on orders from higher courts, he has been moving about unchallenged.

Contacted, local administration and law-enforcement officials said they cannot do much in this regard as an HC stay order is in force.

However, a ruling from the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday suggests things might change drastically.

The apex court directed ex-state minister and BNP leader Shahjahan Omar to surrender to the trial court in a case he was tried and sentenced in absentia.

Earlier, Omar obtained bail and a stay order from the HC on the case proceedings.

The same might apply to Shamim Osman who made his first public appearance since 1/11 at a rally in Narayanganj town on April 17.

There, he announced, “The party (AL) won’t run on government dictates, rather the government will have to act as per the party directives.”

The following day, his men started making phone calls to local traders for money, said a number of businessmen requesting anonymity.

Referring to his reign of terror during the last AL government in 1996-2001, they said they are most probably in for similar conditions.

Then, Shamim’s main source of income was ‘commission’ from jhut (garment waste) traders in BSCIC area and Narayanganj town.

Besides, he would make huge bucks from extortion in the transport sector.

Shamim and his family fled the country after the BNP-led four-party alliance came to power in October 2001.

He returned home in 2006 only to leave again shortly before 1/11.

Despite being wanted by the Interpol, Narayanganj police and also Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), he got back to the country with ease after the grand alliance swept to power in the December 29 general election last year.

As his moveable property was confiscated during the caretaker government, he is now living in his in-laws’ house.

Contacted, the former MP denied the allegations against him. He said, “If anyone can prove a single allegation against me, I will quit politics forever.”

He said as the High Court has stayed all the cases against him, he now faces no arrest warrant and there’s no bar to his movement.

Shamim also claimed the cases were filed to harass him as he has been vocal in demanding trial of the war criminals.

About his being wanted by the Interpol, he said, “My name was put on their website on pressure from former BNP state minister for home.

“It’s unfortunate that the website does not display photographs of the killers of Bangabandhu, and the war criminals responsible for genocides and rapes of thousands of our mothers and sisters.”

Bishwas Afzal Hossain, superintendent of police (SP) in Narayanganj, told The Daily Star, “Shamim Osman is no more wanted by them in any case as he is out on bail from the High Court.”

Lt Col Sazzad Hossain, commanding officer of Rab-11, said, “He is beyond our reach as he has obtained High Court orders.”