Shahinur Rahman Sona, Rajshahi

Based on secret information, the army conducted an operation in Rajshahi metropolis’s Tikapara and Khulipara areas on Wednesday from 2:30 PM to 9:00 PM. 

Led by Captain Fazle, the operation resulted in the arrest of alleged journalist and self-proclaimed president of the traditional Rajshahi Press Club — murder accused in 15 cases — Nazrul Islam Julu, his son Jim Islam (25), and associate Munna (23).

The arrestees face accusations of murder, extortion, land grabbing, various terrorist activities, and occupying the press club. After the operation, they were handed over to Boalia police station.

The previous day, Tuesday (1 July), photos and videos of Julu’s two nephews brandishing pistols and firing blank shots on Ramchandrapur Bashar Road in the city went viral on social media. A young man named Siam Islam Raj filed a case at Boalia police station regarding the incident. Police found evidence implicating Julu as the instigator and patron of that event. However, Nazrul Islam Julu is also listed as accused number 294 in a murder case filed at Mohammadpur police station in Dhaka over an attack on students and the public on 5 August. The case mentions Julu as the deputy office secretary of Rajshahi Metropolitan Volunteer League.

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, currently absconding in that case, is also shown arrested in the same Mohammadpur police station case. Additionally, before 5 August, Julu already had 14 other cases against him, including attempted murder.

It is known that after 5 August, under the shelter of a local former councillor, Julu became reckless. Under the leadership of Julu and several alleged journalists, the Rajshahi Press Club was occupied, and massive extortion began across the city. At Julu’s instigation, his son and nephews also started widespread extortion, establishing a reign of terror. Even several journalists were tortured.

Following these allegations, the army raided Julu’s house on Wednesday afternoon, arrested Julu and two others, and handed them over to Boalia police station.

Meanwhile, on news of Nazrul Islam Julu’s arrest, local people distributed sweets in the area. On Wednesday night, they padlocked the Rajshahi Press Club and freed it.

President of Rajshahi Press Club and senior journalist Saidur Rahman alleged that after 5 August, so-called journalist Julu forcibly occupied their press club. Along with some accomplices, he turned the press club into a torture cell. Various officials were intimidated, brought there, and extorted.

OC of Boalia police station, Mostak Hossain, said, so-called journalist Nazrul Islam Julu and the arrestees have cases in Boalia police station and other police stations. There are also cases against them in Dhaka for attacks on students and the public and murder. They have been shown arrested in those cases and will be interrogated.