Public hearing begins over Major (retd) Sinha killing
As scheduled, the hearing started from 10am Sunday at Bahachhara Rohingya camp office in Teknaf
A high-level investigation committee, headed by additional divisional commissioner of Chattogram, has started a public hearing to get the details of the murder of Major (retd) Sinha Md Rashed Khan.
The hearing started at 10:00am on Sunday at Shamlapur Rohingya camp in-charge's office in Teknaf of Cox's Bazar.
"The process began by registering the names of the people who are willing to give statements at the hearing," said Mohammad Shahjahan Ali, additional magistrate of Cox's Bazar district administration and also a member of the probe committee.
The investigation team started taking official statements at 11:30am. Twelve residents of the area are taking part in the hearing.
Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, additional divisional commissioner of Chattogram and convener of the committee, Lt Colonel Sajjad, nominated by Ramu 10th Infantry Division GOC and who is working at the Prime Minister's Office, Additional DIG Zakir Hossain, nominated by Chattogram DIG, and Mohammad Shahjahan Ali, additional district magistrate of Cox's Bazar, are attending the hearing.
Md Mizanur Rahman said, "For the sake of investigation, we will go wherever it is necessary and talk to people, who we think are important to talk to. A neutral and transparent investigation into the tragic incident will be conducted. The public hearing is part of the process."
Baharchhara Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Maulovi Aziz Uddin said, "Many witnesses of the murder and the incidents afterwards have registered their names to speak at the hearing willingly."
According to locals, all started to come to the hearing since 9:00am in the morning and the persons willing to give statements went to the registration booth. Different law enforcement agencies, including the army, have enforced strict security in and around Shaplapur area of Marine Drive. A large number of media personnel have also come to the spot. However, no one from the media is allowed to enter the hearing room.
According to the people involved in the investigation, they are trying to find out answers to some questions, which will make everything clear, they think.
Meanwhile, Shahedul Islam Sifat, who was with the slain retired army officer Sinha at the killing spot, said he did not see if Sinha had any arms in his hand when he was shot by police.
Sinha was shot dead by police at Shamlapur check post in Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive under Baharchhara union on the night of August 31.
