After BNP, Old Dhaka’s notorious extortionist Ishaq Sarkar joins NCP

BD Digest Report:

The brutal murder of a businessman named Lal Chand alias Sohag (39) in the Mitford area of ​​the capital’s Old Dhaka has sparked outrage and condemnation across the country. Locals allege that the mastermind behind the murder was Ishaq Sarkar, a former influential leader of the BNP faction of Dhaka-7 constituency. This ordinary businessman had to die for his role in controlling extortion and expanding his dominance. However, as the aftermath of this bloody incident continues, new discussions have arisen about the political blunders of Ishaq Sarkar.

According to local sources and the case file, after the August 5 change of heart, Ishaq Sarkar took full control of extortion in the Mitford area. Until now, Sohag used to collect 6 lakh taka from businessmen monthly. Recently, Ishaq doubled this amount to 1.2 lakh taka and replaced Sohag with Jubo Dal leader Mahmudul Hasan Mohin.

Fearing for his life, Sohag tried to take refuge in the group of another local BNP leader, which angered Ishaq. It is alleged that, on the direct orders and planning of Ishaq’s government, the Mohin group publicly beat Sohag and crushed his head with stones to death in front of Mitford Hospital on Wednesday evening. CCTV footage showed that even after the death was confirmed, the killers stood over the body, cheered and continued to hit him with stones.

Ishaq Sarkar has changed tactics after his name was implicated in the Sohag murder case and after facing pressure from the party. He officially joined the National Citizens Party (NCP) in a grand ceremony at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) in Kakrail, the capital, on Friday afternoon.

He joined the party in the presence of NCP chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari and convener Nahid Islam. Nahid Islam called him an ‘inspiration’ and ‘July fighter’ at the event. Along with Ishaq Sarkar, a large number of his followers also joined the NCP on that day. At that time, top NCP leaders Sarjis Alam and Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan were present. At the same event, Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Haque’s granddaughter Fersamin Haque Iqbal and the discussed activist Mohiuddin Roni also joined the NCP.

Meanwhile, BNP and its affiliates have taken a tough stance on the allegations of involvement in the murder. BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said that there is no mercy for the culprit. In the meantime, Jubo Dal leaders Rajab Ali Pintu and Sabah Karim Lucky have been expelled from the party for life for their involvement in the murder. The BNP High Command has called on the law enforcement agencies to take strict action against the culprits.

DMP and RAB said that four people have been arrested so far on charges of involvement in the murder. Of these, Mahmudul Hasan Mohin has been remanded for 5 days and Tarique Rahman Robin for 2 days. A foreign pistol has also been recovered from Robin.

The case filed by Manjuara Begum, the sister of the deceased Sohag, has named 18 people and named 15-20 others as suspects. The only question in the business community now is – will the masterminds behind this murder get away with changing political parties?