According to several sources in the Feni Awami League, Shusen Chandra Sheel, a close associate of Nizam Hazari, was one of the controllers of tenders in various government offices in the district. He is the general secretary of Feni Sadar Upazila Awami League and former president of Sadar Upazila. Ziauddin Bablu, former vice-president of Feni District Chhatra League, will work with them as an armed ‘cadre’. Additionally, Bablu exercised control over land grabbing and extortion by intimidating people of different areas on behalf of Nizam Hazari and Shusen. He used to carry firearms openly.
Multiple law enforcement sources said that on August 4, Bablu directly targeted students and civilians in Mohipal area. Shusen Chandra Sheel, Nazrul Islam alias Swapan Miyaji (general secretary of Feni Paurshwa Awami League and former Paurshwa Mayor) and Harun Majumdar (general secretary of Fulgazi Upazila Awami League and former upazila president) were present at the spot.
Apart from him, former president of Chanua Union of Feni Sadar Upazila Karim Ullah alias Rensu Karim, vice president of District Jubo League and former president of Sharshadi Union Zain Alam Bhuiyan and organizing secretary of District Jubo League Lutfar Rehman alias Khokon Hazari were also present. . Mohipal area that day. These three were also seen shooting that day. Multiple law enforcement sources confirmed that he was seen in video footage from August 4.
Apart from this, former president of Kazirbagh Union Bulbul Ahmed had a sharp weapon in his hand. Former president of Panchgachia union of Feni Sadar Mahbubul Haq alias Liton, former president of Pathan Nagar union of Chhagalnaiya upazila Rafiqul Haider Choudhary alias Gehna and former president of Chhagalnaiya upazila Majbaul Haider Choudhary alias Sohail were also present on the spot.
Analyzing information received from Feni district administration, a total of 103 firearms licenses were given at the individual level between January 6 in 2009 and August 5 in 2024. Of the persons who received these licenses, 30 were associated with the Awami League and its affiliates.
Those directly involved in the attack on students include former Chanua Union president Karim Ullah alias Rensu Karim and former Sharshadi Union president Zain Alam Bhuiyan who possess licensed guns. Fulgazi upazila Awami League general secretary and former upazila president Harun Majumdar holds a firearm license. Law enforcers confirmed that they had illegally used their weapons to suppress the students’ movement.
According to the Firearms License, Renewal and Use Policy 2016, a person can carry and use firearms obtained against his license only for self-defense. Weapons may not be displayed in situations that would cause fear or distress to others.
Sources in law enforcement agencies said that when the Awami League came to power in 1996, followers of then MLA Joynal Hazari obtained firearms licenses even at the union level. They will use these firearms for various criminal activities.