Dimla (Nilphamari) Correspondent

In a demonstration for Tarique Rahman’s cousin, Engineer Shahrin Islam Chowdhury Tuhin, a former Member of Parliament (MP) from Nilphamari-1 (Domar-Dimla) constituency and former president of Nilphamari District BNP, supporters held a mass procession in Dimla on Wednesday afternoon. 

The protestors demanded Tuhin’s unconditional release and the withdrawal of the false cases against him.

A  large rally organized by Tuhin’s supporters started from the Islamia Degree College area in Dimla, with thousands of men and women participating. The procession traversed the main roads of the town and culminated in a rally at the district’s Smritishoudh (Memorial) area.

Prof Raisul Alam Chowdhury, former president of Dimla Upazila BNP and district BNP advisor, presided over the meeting. Several prominent leaders addressed the gathering, including Prof Setara Sultana, a central member of the Women’s BNP, Ashik ul Islam Lemon, the general secretary of Dimla Upazila Jubo Dal, Ayub Ali, joint convener of the Upazila Youth Wing, Swaponujjaman Swapon, former president of Dimla Upazila Chhatra Dal, Tayebul Islam, Youth Wing leader, and Halimul Islam Russell, general secretary of the Upazila Chhatra Dal.

The speakers warned that if Tuhin’s release and the withdrawal of the false cases against him were not ensured, a tougher movement would be initiated across the greater Rangpur Division.

It is mentioned that  Tuhin, who has been accused of tax evasion and illicit asset accumulation, faced two separate cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in 2007. In the tax evasion case, the court sentenced him to three years and five years of imprisonment in two separate charges, totaling eight years of imprisonment. However, the sentences were to run concurrently, which meant he would serve a maximum of five years. In the case involving illegal assets, the court sentenced him to ten years of rigorous imprisonment in 2008.

Seventeen years after the verdict, on April 29, Tuhin surrendered through his lawyer in two separate special courts in Dhaka and applied for bail. However, the court rejected his bail application and ordered him to be sent to jail. Since then, Tuhin’s supporters, along with local BNP activists from ten unions, have organized various protests, including human chains, rallies, and processions, demanding his unconditional release and the withdrawal of the cases.