BNP-Jamaat clash over chicken manure, 6 arrested

Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and activists have been accused of attacking BNP leaders and activists in Mymensingh's Fulbaria upazila over a dispute over chicken droppings.

As of Thursday morning, six persons have been arrested in this connection. Of them, four were arrested on Wednesday.

According to local and case statement, layer chickens have been being raised at the CP Bangladesh Company near Kahalgaon Bazar for a long time. During the Awami League rule, their leaders and activists, and later BNP leaders and activists, used to sell the manure for free.

The conflict between the two parties over the control of the manure began after Jamaat candidate Principal Kamrul Hasan Milon won the Mymensingh-6 (Fulbaria) constituency in the 13th National Parliament election.

Company manager Sadiqur Rahman said that every one and a half months, about Tk8 lakh of manure is produced from six sheds, which is used for various purposes including fish food. He also said that MP Kamrul Hasan Milon recently called him and asked him to give the excrement to Jamaat leaders and activists.

Around 11 pm on Tuesday, more than 200 Jamaat-Shibir leaders and activists took two trucks of excrement from CP Bangladesh Company. Later, at midnight, a hand bomb was detonated in Kahalgaon Bazar, creating panic. Several businesses and vehicles were also attacked, vandalised and looted. A total of Tk5 lakh was looted from Bank Asia's agent banking and Tk2 lakh from a business. In addition, a motorcycle was snatched.

On Wednesday, Upazila Sramik Dal General Secretary Abdul Qayyum Talukder filed a case naming 47 people from Jamaat-Shibir and accusing 250 unknown people.

However, Fulbaria Upazila Jamaat, in a statement, denied the party's involvement in the attack and looting and strongly condemned the incident. A three-member investigation committee has been formed on the condition that if any party leader or activist is found to be involved in the investigation, organizational and legal action will be taken and a report will be submitted within 72 hours.

Member of Parliament Kamrul Hasan Milon told the media that two BNP factions and some Jamaat leaders and activists were involved in the incident. He also said that whoever is involved will be brought under the law.

Fulbaria Police Station OC Md. Saifullah Saif said that many of the accused in the case are in hiding. The operation to arrest them is ongoing.