Jamaat leaders attack UP members for not getting rice share for poor

Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and activists have allegedly attacked UP members over the distribution of VGF rice in Sholataka Union Parishad of Gangni Upazila of Meherpur. The incident took place on Wednesday (May 20), according to local UP members.

According to locals, Jamaat leaders and activists demanded VGF rice share allocated for the helpless and poor people on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. They allegedly attacked UP members when their demands were not met.

Afroza Khatun, panel chairman of Sholataka Union Parishad, said that the government has allocated 10 kg of rice each for the poor. When Jamaat leaders and activists demanded that share of rice. Later, as they didn’t get it, they attacked UP members indiscriminately. However, they left in the face of resistance from local residents.

Shujauddin, a member of ward number 6 of the union, said, "They attacked us because Jamaat leaders did not get rice allocated for the needy."

However, Gangni Upazila Jamaat Ameer Rabiul Islam denied the allegations. He said, "Our people went there and said that those who are actually eligible for rice should be given it. We want the poorest of the poor to get rice. The allegations against us are completely false."

Gangni Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Uttam Kumar Das said that police were sent to the spot after receiving the information. The situation is currently calm.

Despite repeated attempts to contact Gangni Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Anwar Hossain, he could not be reached.