Pabna Correspondent: Fear and frustration are mounting in Ishwardi as expelled BNP leader Zakaria Pintu and his brothers remain at large despite facing a series of serious criminal cases, including allegations of murder, attempted murder, extortion, land grabbing, rape and arms offences.
Residents and alleged victims have questioned why the accused have not been arrested, alleging that their continued freedom has emboldened them to intimidate innocent people, businesspeople and political rivals.
The allegations have also raised questions about the role of the local administration, with residents claiming that law enforcement has failed to take effective action despite being aware of the cases.
Zakaria Pintu, a former general secretary of the Ishwardi municipal BNP unit, was expelled from the party. According to local sources, more than a dozen cases have been filed against him and his four brothers at Ishwardi Police Station.
Several new cases—including those involving murder, attempted murder, extortion, assault and land grabbing—were reportedly filed after the fall of the Awami League government. The brothers had also faced allegations in earlier cases involving rape and arms offences, it is alleged.
Murder allegation
The latest allegations surfaced after Mehedi Hasan Akib, a young man, was allegedly beaten to death on September 2.
The victim’s father accused Mehedi Hasan, a brother of Zakaria Pintu, and members of his group of being involved in the killing.
The family has been unable to seek justice without fear, he alleged, claiming that intimidation by the group has made it difficult for them to pursue the case freely.
Local residents alleged that Pintu and his associates have used the political transition following the fall of the previous government to allegedly expand their influence in different parts of Ishwardi.
They claimed that extortion, threats and acts of intimidation have become routine, while many victims remain unwilling to speak openly for fear of reprisals.
“They have so many cases against them, yet they are moving around openly and issuing threats,” said a businessman in Ishwardi market, requesting anonymity.
“The administration knows about everything, but no effective action is being taken. We are living in constant fear.”
BNP activists alarmed
The alleged inaction has also caused unease among BNP activists in the area.
Party workers pointed to the recent detention of BNP activist Payel Hossain Rintu by the District Detective Branch (DB), saying the arrest has heightened concerns among grassroots activists.
They questioned why an active party worker with, according to local sources, no pending case was detained, while an expelled leader and his brothers facing multiple cases allegedly remain untouched.
Police response
Attempts to contact Zakaria Pintu for comment were unsuccessful as his mobile phone was found switched off.
Contacted, the officer-in-charge of Ishwardi Police Station said police would not spare anyone involved in criminal activities.
“Regardless of who the accused are, no criminal will be given any concession,” he said. “Investigations into the cases against Zakaria Pintu and his associates are ongoing, and police operations to arrest the accused are continuing.”
Residents, however, said repeated assurances had failed to ease their concerns. They demanded immediate action against the accused and called for effective law enforcement to restore peace and security in Ishwardi.
