Remembering Shah A M S Kibria

It happened three years ago today. Bangladesh lost one of its best sons, Shah A M S Kibria, in a political assassination organized by the BNP-Jamaat regime. Daily Star reports on January 26th:

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has yet to complete supplementary probe in the sensational cases--one for murder and the other for explosion--even though 10 months have passed since resumption of further investigation.

The then senior additional superintendent of police (ASP) Munshi Atiqur Rahman of CID on March 7 last year notified the tribunal of the matter.

After Munshi's retirement, ASP Rafiqul Islam took over as the investigation officer (IO). He claimed they had gathered some significant leads from different sources. He however could not say how much time he would take to file supplementary charge sheets.

Sources close to the probe said the decision for more investigation was taken after the investigators found Harkat ul-Jihad-I-Islami's links to the January 27 grenade attack at Baidderbazar in Habiganj that left Kibria and four others dead.

Munshi Atique on March 20, 2005 pressed charges against 10 BNP leaders and workers. The same day Abdul Majid Khan, the complainant, filed a no-confidence petition against the charge sheet in the murder case. But the Habiganj Magistrate's Court Cognizance-1) rejected the petition and fixed May 10 the same year for hearing.

But in the meantime, the case was transferred to Sylhet Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal that too rejected the objections to the charge sheet.

The complainant then filed a petition with the High Court and obtained orders staying the proceedings on May 14, 2006. Moved by Dr Kamal Hossain, the petition challenged the tribunal's rejection of a prayer for further investigation.

The HC bench also ordered the government to explain within two weeks why the ruling of the Speedy Trial Tribunal should not be adjudged to have been done without lawful authority.

Proceedings of the case would remain stayed till the rule is disposed of.

Vice-President of Habiganj district BNP Abdul Quaiyum was made the principal accused. The other accused are Joynal Abedin Jalal, Jamir Ali, Momin, Tajul Islam, Shahed Ali, Selim Ahmed and Enayat Ali, Muhibur Rahman and Kajal Miah.

Of them, eight including Quaiyum are behind bars.

Asma Kibria and Reza Kibria, wife and son of the slain AL leader, had rejected the charge sheet.

Asma Kibria on January 19 last year urged the chief adviser of the caretaker government to ensure proper investigation and trial of the cases.

Shah A M S Kibria's family and friends have continued their protest against the heinous killing of Mr. Kibria and looking for justice. Days are passing. Like many other killings, Bangladesh will painfully forget Mr. Kibria and rehabilitate his killers. His daughter Nazli Kibria writes at Daily Star to remember him,

It has now been three years since my father's assassination on January 27, 2005 by grenade attack in Sylhet. I am sad to say that there has been no visible progress towards a complete and unbiased investigation into the crime; indeed, there is little apparent interest in this matter. It is difficult for me to understand how unresolved political killings can help the country in its quest to rid itself of corruption and to move towards democracy through free and fair elections.

I do know that however futile it may seem, I will continue, in whatever way that I can, our family's campaign for justice. After all, it was my father who taught me to keep on trying, to not give up.