The eldest son of Natore-4 BNP lawmaker Abdul Aziz has been taken into police custody for questioning over the death of a Chhatra Dal leader who was attacked in Natore.
Nuruzzaman, son of the MP, has been in custody since last night (26 October), reports Prothom Alo.
Abdul Hannan, officer-in-charge of Gurudaspur Police Station, confirmed the development.
Natore District DB Inspector Nazrul Islam said at around 11:30am today (27 October), "The matter is under investigation, so nothing can be disclosed at this stage."
Shakil Islam, member secretary of the Gurudaspur municipal unit of Chhatra Dal, died at Bangladesh Medical University around 8:15pm yesterday, 12 days after being injured in an attack. Following his death, police intensified efforts to identify those involved.
Several Chhatra Dal sources said the MP's two sons had separate groups of followers, with tensions between the camps. Shakil was a follower of the MP's younger son, Mahmuduzzaman.
Police sources said Natore DB police took Nuruzzaman into custody last night following Shakil's death. He was first taken to Gurudaspur Police Station and later transferred to the DB office at the district headquarters for questioning.
Nuruzzaman was at the Natore DB office when this report was filed at 1pm. He is a joint convener of the Gurudaspur upazila Jubo Dal, while his younger brother, Mahmuduzzaman, is a former joint general secretary of the Gurudaspur upazila BNP.
Shakil was severely injured in an attack by assailants wielding sharp weapons at around 10:30pm on 14 October while returning from Chanchkoir market.
Locals rescued Shakil and took him to the upazila health complex. He was later transferred to Rajshahi and then to Bangladesh Medical University in Dhaka, where he died last night while undergoing treatment.
Following the attack, Shakil's father, Robiul Karim, filed a case with Gurudaspur Police Station on 19 October against eight to 10 unidentified people.
Shakil posted on Facebook about death threat
Earlier on 20 April, Shakil had shared a post on his Facebook account expressing fear for his life.
"I am very worried about my life. An influential elder brother has been contacting different groups and circles to get me killed. Apparently, a large amount of money would be paid to those who could kill me. I spoke to the OC about this and filed a general diary at the police station, mentioning their names. If anything happens to me, please file a case based on that GD," he wrote.
Asked about the Facebook post, DB Inspector Nazrul Islam declined to provide details, saying the investigation was considering all aspects.
MP Abdul Aziz visited Shakil's home in Kacharipara, near Gurudaspur upazila headquarters and consoled his father, Robiul Karim, and other family members this morning. He also pledged a fair investigation and justice for the victim.