Gazipur metro police chief unveils why journo Tuhin was brutally killed, says charge sheet within 15 days
The commissioner has expressed regret over the failure to prevent the murder
The charge sheet in the case over journalist Asaduzzaman Tuhin's brutal killing will be filed within 15 days, subject to receiving the autopsy report, said Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) Commissioner Nazmul Karim Khan today (9 August).
Speaking at a press conference at the GMP headquarters in the afternoon, he expressed regret over the law enforcement agency's failure to prevent the murder and extended condolences to Tuhin's family.
"We cannot avoid responsibility for this murder of a journalist. We have shortcomings and a manpower shortage. The police alone cannot eliminate crime. Public cooperation is essential," Nazmul said, urging all to help police in tackling such crimes.
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"The responsibility to ensure security was on us. We could not prevent it. Prevention is not always possible. No country in the world has been able to bring crime down to zero. Therefore, despite our best efforts, crimes can still occur. We express our regret for the incident that took place," he added.
Incident details
Briefing the media, Commissioner Nazmul provided a detailed account of the events leading to Tuhin's murder at Chandna Chowrasta area of Gazipur city on 7 August night.
He said the incident began when a man named Badsha Mia withdrew money from an ATM in that area. "He was then targeted by a woman named Golapi, who attempted a 'honey trap' him. When Badsha realised he was being set up, a conflict ensued, and he punched Golapi."
"This altercation prompted five-six of Golapi's associates, who were ready to ambush, to attack Badsha with sharp weapons. During this assault, journalist Tuhin began recording the incident on his phone.
"The attackers, realising their crime was being documented, turned their attention to Tuhin. They chased him to a tea stall where they caught him and hacked him to death," said Nazmul.
He said the police quickly collected footage from nearby CCTV cameras, and analysis of those led to the identification of eight suspects. "Within 24 hours of the murder, seven people have been arrested."
"We are confident that the remaining suspects will be arrested soon," said the GMP chief.
The seven arrestees are the main suspect Mizan alias Ketu Mizan, 35; his wife Golapi, 25; Md Swadhin, 28; Al Amin, 21; Shahjalal, 32; Md Faisal Hasan, 23; and Sumon, 26.
Nazmul confirmed that the police have collected strong evidence, including CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts, and believe they have enough to prove the suspects' guilt even if they do not confess.
Ongoing challenges in Gazipur
The GMP commissioner also addressed broader challenges in the region, including a rise in crime following the closure of several factories, leading to increased unemployment.
He also mentioned that the collaborators of the previous regime in the district are attempting to destabilise Gazipur, which is diverting police attention from other crimes.
Despite these challenges, he said the GMP is working to restore public safety and peace.
Earlier, Bason police Officer-in-Charge Shahin Khan said two cases have been filed, one by Tuhin's elder brother, Md Selim, and the other by the brother of Badsha Mia, who was injured in a separate attack shortly before Tuhin's killing.
Asaduzzaman Tuhin, 38, was the Gazipur staff reporter for Dainik Protidiner Kagoj. Originally from Mymensingh's Fulbaria upazila, he lived in Gazipur city with his wife, Farida Akhter and their two sons.
According to police and witnesses, the fatal attack on Tuhin took place near his office at Masjid Market on Thursday (7 August).
The assailants had chased Tuhin, when they saw he was recording the attack on Badsha Mia, into a nearby tea shop and hacked him to death before fleeing. While the chase was captured by nearby CCTV cameras, the hacking was not.
Police later recovered Tuhin's body and sent it to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital for autopsy.
