From 1996 to 2024, former LGRD minister Md Tajul Islam and his close associates reigned over Cumilla’s Laksam with absolute authority. During this period, Tajul's hunger for power and control revealed a monstrous nature that, locals say, earned him the nickname “Laksam’s Ershad Shikder” — a reference to the notorious criminal from Khulna.
However, few dared to speak out against him publicly during his tenure.
Beyond corruption, Tajul allegedly instilled fear among locals, grabbed land by force, and compelled victims to transfer property deeds through intimidation and torture. Several allegations of enforced disappearances have also surfaced against the former minister.
Following the fall of the Awami League government, residents of Laksam have started to speak up, revealing a series of shocking incidents. Many now describe him as the “monster of Laksam”.
Tajul first became an MP in 1996 and soon sidelined veteran Awami League leaders to expand his personal grip on the area. He formed a loyalist faction and a group of armed followers. After being re-elected in 2008, he reportedly became even more authoritarian, considering himself the sole ruler of Laksam and Monohorganj upazilas.
According to sources, Tajul used strategic pressure not only against political opponents but also to suppress dedicated party leaders. Over time, the local unit became dominated by his relatives and favoured 'hybrid' leaders. After his controversial election victory in 2018, he was appointed LGRD minister, which further intensified his arrogance and sense of invincibility.
He soon distanced himself from party workers and constituents, reportedly assuming the role of an unelected emperor in Laksam–Monohorganj. Following his rise to power, Tajul allegedly worked to establish a parallel faction within the party known as the ‘Tajul League’, dismissing anyone not affiliated with it. His aggressive hunger for control became increasingly visible to locals.
He reportedly set his sights on Laksam Central Cooperative Bank. In 2010, using legal loopholes and coercion, he took control of movable and immovable assets worth hundreds of crores of taka that had been acquired with depositors’ money.
Documents submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) state that Bangladesh Cooperative Bank filed a case against Laksam Central Cooperative Bank, seeking to recover funds. Despite a request from the then-chairman to halt the auction, the process continued. Locals allege the auction was manipulated to fulfil the then-MP’s ambition to seize the bank’s property. No other bidder was reportedly allowed to participate due to intimidation by Tajul’s men.
Tajul's rule was enforced by five of his most trusted aides, whose actions kept residents of Laksam and Monohorganj on edge throughout the AL’s tenure. The group included his nephew and former upazila vice chairman Amirul Islam, Jubo League leader Shahadat Hossain, personal assistant Md Kamal Hossain, APS Zahid Hossain, and brother-in-law Mohabbat Ali, general secretary of Laksam upazila AL. All five are accused of land grabbing, tender manipulation, extortion, and operating torture cells.
After becoming LGRD minister in 2018, Tajul allegedly became more aggressive in accumulating wealth both at home and abroad. His nephew Shahadat Hossain, locally dubbed the “minister’s cashier,” reportedly established a reign of terror in Monohorganj, grabbing land, collecting extortion, and abducting people for ransom. He allegedly extorted Tk33 crore ahead of the last union parishad election — Tk16.5 crore from candidates and another Tk16.5 crore from 11 chairman contenders, each of whom was made to pay Tk15 lakh.
Amirul reportedly collected 10% in commission from each LGED project, amassing crores in illegal earnings. Locals allege that he has large sums in Jamuna Bank and other institutions and that he laundered a significant amount abroad.
Tajul’s brother-in-law Mohabbat Ali, known in the area as “the butcher”, was notorious for running a torture cell in the heart of Laksam town, right opposite the police station. This site, dubbed ‘Aynaghor’, became infamous across Cumilla. From here, directives were allegedly issued to target BNP-Jamaat leaders and activists during the AL regime.
Mohabbat operated this cell with help from two associates — chairmen Nizam Uddin Shamim and Omar Faruk. Two other branches were managed by Laksam Municipality Ward-5 Councillor Monsur Ahmed Munshi and Ward-6 Councillor Abu Sayed Bacchu. The torture chambers were located at Bacchu’s home in Pashchimgaon and Munshi’s office in Rajghat.
From these four branches, Mohabbat reportedly extorted lakhs daily. Once a poor man, he allegedly became the owner of luxury vehicles, lavish houses, and vast wealth under multiple names. High-ranking officials of the local administration were also said to be frequent visitors to these torture centres. The abused residents of Laksam are now demanding justice.
In 2012, Tajul helped Mohabbat become upazila vice chairman despite his limited means at the time. Allegations state that Mohabbat later formed his own gang to occupy government land, including railway property. Several reports on these activities have been published in the media. Later, in an image makeover, Mohabbat attempted to present himself as a youth politician.
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
