BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami workers clash in Faridpur over sharing of Balumahal lease money

BNP, Jamaat workers clash over sharing of Balumahal lease money

Workers of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami have clashed over the sharing of money from the Balumahal, designated sand quarry which is locally known as NICO, lease tender in Faridpur’s Boalmari, leaving two people injured.

A BNP leader has filed a written complaint against Jamaat workers at the police station in this incident, said Boalmari Police Station chief Mahmudul Hasan.

Mahmudul said on Friday the former organising secretary of municipal BNP Russell Ahmed submitted the complaint a day earlier.

The clash took place outside the Boalmari Upazila Parishad around 10:15pm on Apr 16.

Those injured in the clash are Russell’s younger brother and former president of Boalmari Government College Chhatra Dal, Robin Molla, 32, and Riaz Mridha, 47, owner of a store in the municipal market.

Riaz is the elder brother of the former organising secretary of Boalmari Municipal Chhatra Dal, Miraj Mridha.

Meanwhile, some CCTV footage of the clash went viral on social media on Thursday.

In the footage, a group of youths attacked a meeting held at Riaz's store on Apr 16 with wooden batons and local weapons.

Robin, who had taken refuge at the store, suffered a head injury and Riaz was injured while trying to fend off the attackers.

Later, locals rescued them and took them to the emergency department of the Boalmari Upazila Health Complex.

Riaz was released after giving first aid, while Robin is still undergoing treatment.

According to locals, at the beginning of every year, the district administration invites tenders for a one-year lease of Lankachar Balumahal on the Madhumoti River in Boalmari. A total of 15 tenders were sold for this lease this year.

However, the sale and purchase were completed through a secret auction based on the agreement of the bidders.

Although they had agreed to share the money, one bidder, Jewel Biswas, complained that time was wasted without paying his due.

Boalmari Municipality Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Maulana Niyamul Hasan has confirmed Jewel is a Jamaat worker.

On Wednesday, a mediation meeting was held at the Riaz’s store to resolve the dispute over money sharing.

Attendees included former municipal Russell, municipal Jubo Dal joint convenor Mohsin Alam Chan, Miraj, and local residents.

Jamaat activist Jewel arrived at the meeting carrying a local weapon, which was spotted tucked into his waist.

When attempts were made to take it from him, a scuffle broke out between him and the BNP members present.

Soon after, 25-30 people led by Jewel launched an attack on the meeting, armed with sticks and local weapons.

Jewel said, “Balumahal had a deposit of Tk 45,000 with Russell and Miraj. When he demanded money, Russell called me to Riaz’s store.

“But when I went there, they attacked me using the excuse of not giving me the money. After hearing what happened, my brothers from the village came to help.

“There, they found Russell’s brother Robin and beat him up.”

Russell said, “Jamaat-e-Islami cadre Jewel demanded extortion from me. When Mohsin wanted to know about this and Miraj called him, he planned to kill me by carrying weapons.

“However, when people saw it and took it away, his terrorist group, who had already been on the run, attacked us.

“Although I managed to escape, they severely beat and injured my younger brother.”

OC Mahmudul said, “On the day of the incident, police went to the spot and brought the situation under control after receiving information.

“Those injured in the attack have filed a written complaint with the police station. Legal action is under process, subject to investigation.”