By Masum Billah Imran, Khulna Bureau
Tarek Molla Azam Khan, a student leader and the coordinator of the July movement, has accused joint forces of inhuman torture in a crackdown on political activists in Khulna. In a press conference held at the Khulna Press Club on Thursday, Tarek described in harrowing detail how he and his family were assaulted in a late-night raid on April 4, allegedly due to his political affiliations and past role in organizing anti-government protests.
Tarek, a student of Commerce College and current president of the college unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir, claimed he was targeted for his role in the July uprising. His father, Taleb Molla, is the president of Ward No. 21 Workers’ Party and vice-president of the local BNP unit. The joint forces reportedly stormed their home looking for Taleb, and upon failing to locate him, took out their anger on his family.
According to Tarek, the joint forces, led by Navy personnel and supported by local police, dragged him out of his home, tied him up, and subjected him to three rounds of brutal beatings. His 17-year-old nephew, Hridoy Hawlader, and two others—Obaidul’s brother Shahidul and Tarek himself—were also arrested and tortured. Tarek was named the prime accused in a case filed by DB Inspector Ebad Ali under charges of obstructing the police and possessing country-made weapons.
The incident reportedly began when a police team stopped a motorcycle in the Ghat area around 12:20 am on April 4. A clash followed between workers and police, during which brickbats were exchanged and both sides sustained injuries. Later that night, joint forces raided multiple homes in connection to the clash.
Tarek denied any involvement in the altercation, stating, “They didn’t even check if I was at the scene. My crime was being known as the coordinator of the July movement.” He described being held down by several officers and repeatedly beaten unconscious. “They told me: you made this country hell after August 5, now Awami League, BNP—everyone will beat you,” he said.
Tarek also alleged that a police constable verbally abused his mother multiple times during the transfer to Khulna Medical Hospital’s prison cell. “This person even pushed me out of the vehicle and repeatedly referred to his Chhatra League quota appointment in the police,” Tarek added.
Despite early assurances of release from Khulna Metropolitan Police Commissioner Zulfikar Ali Haider—who reportedly admitted a “mistake”—Tarek was later named as the main accused in a case filed by the Detective Branch. Metropolitan Shibir President Arafat Hossain Milon expressed shock over the developments, saying, “We were told he would be released. Instead, a false case was filed.”
Sub-Inspector Nannu Mandal, identified by Tarek as one of the officers during the operation, denied the allegations, saying the operation was Navy-led and he had no knowledge of Tarek. DB Inspector Ebad Ali, the case’s plaintiff, claimed Tarek confessed under Navy custody, stating, “That’s how the system works here—they confess and then deny.”
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation. Advocate Qudrat-e-Khuda, former president of the Conscious Citizens Committee, condemned the act of pinning false charges on political opponents. Al Shahriar, President of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Khulna, demanded punishment for those responsible for the alleged torture.
The case underscores the growing political tension and factionalism in the country, as opposition groups accuse each other of abandoning the fight against government repression. The July movement, once a symbol of resistance, now sees its leaders under fire—from all sides.
