NATORE: The freed 14 out of 20 death-row convicts in the sensational Gama killing case, all local leaders and activists of the ruling Awami League, were given a mass reception Thursday.

Local Awami League arranged the reception at Amtali School Field under Naldanga upazila in the district with Yunus Ali Master, Vice-President of Naldanga thana Awami league, in the chair.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Ahad Ali Sarker was present at the programme as chief guest.

Sajedur Rahman Khan, president of the district Awami League, General Secretary Hanif Ali and leaders of associate organizations were present at the reception.   

Earlier, the 14 out of 20 death-row convicts of the case were freed from jails under a presidential amnesty on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

The freed are SM Firoz, Anisur Rahman Ansar, Badol, Sentu, Abdul Jalil, Shahjahan, Fazlul Haque Shah, Faisal, Faruk, Jahedul, Jahurul Islam Shah, Sohag Shah, Bablu and Farmajul.

Judge Firoj Alam of Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal had given the death sentence to 21 leaders and activists of Awami League of Naldanga unit for the murder of Gama on August 24, 2006.

Some miscreants killed Sabbir Ahmed Gama, nephew of former Deputy Minister for Land Ruhul Quddus Talukdar Dulu, on February 07, 2004.
Rafiqul Islam Talukder, father of Gama, filed the case with Naldangha Thana on February 8 against 16 suspects, including SM Firoj, Naldanga Thana Awami League General Secretary, by name. Another 15/16 anonymous persons were also implicated in the case.

The convicts prayed for mercy from the President on April 15 this year through the Home Ministry and the head of state exonerated them on September 2.

BDST: 1541 HRS, SEPT 9, 2010