Jubo Dal disrupts Borshoboron event, UNO insulted

Juba Dal leaders foiled the Borshoboron event of the Upazila administration in Atpara of Netrokona by attacking the stage.

They pushed the artists off the stage and insulted the Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) and other guests sitting in front of the stage. They also tore the banners of the event.

From Monday (April 14) morning, students from socio-cultural organizations and educational institutions participated in the New Year's celebration event at the open stage adjacent to the Upazila Parishad. Around 12:30 pm, students from the Upazila Administration Bidyaniketan were performing in the second session.

At that time, Upazila Jubo Dal member secretary Nur Farid Khan, joint convener Modachher Hossain Kaiyum, Kamal Hossain Talukder, and several leaders and activists of the Sewchchasebak Dal and Chhatra Dal arrived at the venue and asked the UNO to stop the event.

When UNO asked why the banner on the stage had the word 'Upazila Parishad Bangabandhu Chattar' written as the location, the leaders and activists led by joint convener Modacher Hossain climbed onto the stage, pushed the students down and tore the banner on the stage.

An eyewitness said that when UNO and other officials stopped them, the leaders pushed them away. They beat up one of their presenters, snatched the microphone and abused UNO in inaudible language.

An eyewitness said that UNO then said that there was no 'Bangabandhu Chattar' written on the banner. Then member secretary Nur Farid said again, 'No, Bangabandhu's name is on the banner. There is a picture of the banner posted on Facebook as well. Someone sent this picture to my phone too. The program must be stopped now.'

The program was canceled as panic spread due to chaos. Later, it was found that the picture posted on Facebook with the inscription 'Bangabandhu Chattar' was from Bengali year 1430.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Ruel Sangma said that several leaders and activists, including Kaiyum and Kamal, led by Upazila Jubo Dal member secretary Nur Farid, suddenly appeared at the event and tore down the banner on the stage. "When I asked why, they insulted me and the officials and stopped the event. They beat the presenter, took the microphone in their hands and called me an 'accomplice of fascism'. The matter has been reported to the higher authorities."

Nur Farid Khan said: "We were sitting at a place. Suddenly, someone gave me a banner on my messenger. The banner had 'Bangabandhu Chattar' written on it. I saw that someone had also shared it on Facebook. Later, we went to the stage and wanted to know the reason. Jubo Dal joint conveners Modachher Hossain and Kamal Hossain, Swechchhasebak Dal convener Ujjwal, member secretary Rupan, Chhatra Dal's Titu and a few others tore the banners. Later, the administration people confirmed to us that Bangabandhu's name was not on the banner. We had made a mistake in the matter."

"For this, we have admitted our mistake to the UNO. We have apologized. You must see the matter with consideration. We did not insult anyone. This is a false accusation," he added.

Atpara Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman said: "I was not at the scene when the incident happened. Legal action will be taken if any allegations are received."

Netrokona District BNP member secretary and central executive committee member Dr. Rafiqul Islam Hilali said that the incident that happened was not desirable in any way. A investigation will be conducted and organizational action will be taken against the accused.

Netrokona Deputy Commissioner Banani Biswas said that the UNO has been asked to take legal action.