Kawra Selim: Top Terrorist Resurfaces After August 5 Political Changes

Staff Reporter

Notorious criminal Selim Reza, known as Kawra Selim, has become active again in Chowgacha, Jashore following the political changes on August 5. The top-listed terrorist from Vadra village is accused of rebuilding his criminal empire under political protection, according to local residents.

Selim, son of poor farmer Shamsur Rahman, faces multiple criminal charges including drug dealing, robbery, extortion, snatching and illegal arms possession. His extensive criminal record under the alias Kawra shows a history of violence. Victims report he has restarted extortion and terrorist activities with renewed energy since the political situation changed.

Local sources indicate Selim has collected approximately 78 lakh taka as extortion money from Vadra village alone since August 5. Several upazila-level BNP leaders speaking anonymously stated no one is safe from Selim. His violent past includes brutally attacking Bazlu Mondal in 2001, crippling Bazlu’s father Barik Mondal in 2002, and being charged with robbery in 2004 for attempting to loot a police vehicle.

After fleeing to Malaysia in 2005, Selim returned in 2006 and resumed criminal activities. During the Awami League government, he allegedly operated under a local Jubo League leader’s protection, continuing extortion and terror operations. Though he fled to Malaysia again in 2014, he returned in 2023 and became active in the last upazila elections.

Local political leaders claim Selim restarted his reign of terror across the upazila after August 5 under direct protection from the same Jubo League leader. On August 15, he reportedly collected 2.5 lakh taka from the village and delivered it to the leader at the upazila headquarters.

Security forces arrested Selim with weapons and ammunition on November 28 last year. Despite the Jubo League leader’s attempts to intervene, then police chief Payel reportedly refused to help.

This year, the day after Eid, Selim allegedly stripped and beat Pannu Member, an Awami League supporter from his village. Villagers drove him away, but the Jubo League leader later arranged a settlement to bring him back.

On April 22, Selim was accused of forcibly taking and selling an FZ Version-2 motorcycle belonging to his friend Manik. A case is being prepared against him for assaulting his niece, with public anger growing over the delay in filing charges. Locals report his wife divorced him in protest.

Multiple attempts to contact Chowgacha Police Station chief Anwar Hossain on April 26 at 7:51 pm for comment were unsuccessful.