Lakshmipur murder accused Salah Uddin posts on Facebook from Saudi Arabia, asks for prayers

Former Lakshmipur Sadar upazila chairman AKM Salah Uddin Tipu, the main accused in cases filed over the killing of 12 people during the recent student movement, posted a picture of himself from Saudi Arabia on social media platform Facebook asking for prayers.

After the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August, Salah Uddin went into hiding. As his facebook post went viral yesterday (12 October), journalists from Lakshmipur contacted him on mobile phone.

Salah Uddin told journalists that he is currently in Saudi Arabia. However, he did not say anything about how or when he went there.

The former upazila chairman is the main accused in the murder case of Sabbir Hossain, who was killed during student protests in Lakshmipur. According to the case document, Salah Uddin and his associates allegedly fired for four hours continuously from the roof of a house during protests on 4 August, injuring hundreds of students and general people.

Amir Hossain, father of college student Sabbir, filed the case on 14 August.

"Salah Uddin is directly involved in the killing. But he is now informing his location by posting on Facebook," Amir said.

Apart from Sabbir, the other students who were killed are Saad Al Afnan, Kausar Hossain, and Osman Gani. Later, eight more people died while undergoing treatment.

Lakshmipur Judge Court lawyer and human rights activist Noor Mohammad said, "Salah Uddin is accused of murdering four students but he is yet to be arrested. His driver Russell chased student protesters with weapons. The police could not arrest him either."

Lakshmipur Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Munnaf said efforts are underway to arrest the accused in the murder case and recover the weapons used in the killing.

"Some people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the killing. Statements of witnesses have been taken," he added.