Probe Akramul’s death: NHRC

The country’s national rights body today reiterated demands for proper investigation into the death of Teknaf’s ward councillor Akramul Haque, whose death during the state-sponsored drive against drugs raised some serious questions.

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman Kazi Reazul Hoque made the call while visiting the residence of Akramul at Kaubkhali, Teknaf upazila, around 2:30pm this afternoon, our Cox’s Bazar correspondent reports.

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'Murder' it was

During his half-an-hour visit, the national rights body chief talked to Akramul’s mother Hafeza Begum. Currently, Akram’s wife and two daughters are staying in Chittagong.

“I have heard the audio clips which are thought to be linked to the murder of Akramul,” Hoque told the media after wrapping up his visit. “The commission has already urged the government to investigate the incident properly and now I want to reiterate our call.”

Akramul was one of the countless who were killed during the nationwide anti-drug drive. Though the law enforcers initially identified him as a drug peddler, a chilling and unverified audio later caught the attention of the nation.

HEAR THE FULL AUDIO HERE

(Link: https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/murder-it-was-1584580)

The audio recording caught the nation by storm. Many decried the incident as a hard proof of extrajudicial killing and demanded proper investigation into the death.

Regarding the spate of deaths caused by the anti-narcotics drive, which has already claimed nearly 160 lives with the count climbing regularly, the NHRC boss said: “We want a drive against narcotics, but we are against any extra-judicial killing.”

He said, the commission is drafting a guideline for the law enforcers on how they will conduct their activities, said Reazul, adding that they will hand over the guideline on its completion.