Attack on Khaleda Zia's convoy: 'Hatkata' Kashem placed on 5-day remand

A court has placed Awami League leader Abul Kashem, alias Hatkata Kashem, on a five-day remand in a case filed over the attack on BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's convoy. The Senior Judicial Magistrate Court of Feni passed the order after the police produced him before the court with a 10-day remand prayer. After the hearing, the court granted five days for interrogation.

The attack took place on October 28, 2017, in the Mohammad Ali Bazar area of Feni while Khaleda Zia was on her way to visit Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar. Several vehicles of the BNP chief's motorcade and journalists were vandalized during the attack. Following the fall of the Awami League government, a case was recently filed with Feni Model Police Station, naming Hatkata Kashem and several other Awami League leaders.

The investigating officer of the case stated that interrogating the accused is crucial to identifying who was behind the attack and on whose orders it was carried out. On the other hand, the defense lawyers filed a petition seeking bail and cancellation of the remand. However, considering the gravity of the offense, the court rejected the bail plea and ordered the remand.

Police said Hatkata Kashem will be questioned during the remand about the planning of the attack and the source of the weapons used. Law enforcement agencies are also conducting drives to arrest the other accused in the case. Local residents and BNP activists have demanded a fair investigation into the incident and exemplary punishment for those responsible.