JCD leader among 2 sued for kicking police officer at UNO office

Police have filed a case against two men, including leaders of the Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, over the alleged assault of a police constable during unrest surrounding the lease of a government-owned pond at the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) office in Birampur, Dinajpur.

The incident took place on Monday afternoon at the office of UNO Tanzina Khatun.

The main accused, Rahaduzzaman Parag, is the son of Ibrahim Ali, also known as Babu, joint general secretary of the Birampur Upazila BNP, and serves as joint convener of the Dior Union Swechchhasebak Dal.

The other named accused is Al Amin, joint convener of the municipal Chhatra Dal. The case also names five to six unidentified individuals.

According to the first information report (FIR), police had been deployed at the UNO office to maintain law and order during the submission of applications for the lease of a government-owned pond.
At one stage, Rahaduzzaman Parag, Al Amin and several others allegedly created disorder outside the UNO's office and obstructed the submission of lease applications.

The FIR states that Constable Nuruzzaman Sarkar began recording the situation on his mobile phone, but the accused attempted to stop him. When they later tried to enter the UNO's office, police intervened.

During the ensuing scuffle, the constable was allegedly kicked and injured.

The complaint further alleges that the accused later entered the UNO's office and forced police officers, in the presence of the UNO, to delete the video footage recorded during the incident.

Later that afternoon, a meeting was held at the UNO's office between government officials and local BNP leaders. The meeting was attended by the Assistant Commissioner (Land), an Assistant Superintendent of Police, and leaders of the upazila and municipal BNP.

Asked whether the incident had occurred in her presence, UNO Tanzina Khatun said she had been informed of the matter and had watched the video footage.

However, she said she did not witness the incident herself and that the accused had not admitted to the allegation.

Sanowar Hossain, joint convener of the Upazila Jubo Dal, claimed that the police constable was kicked from behind while being escorted away from the scene. He added that the CCTV footage from the office should clearly show what happened.

Shamim Al Mamun, Inspector (Investigation) of Birampur Police Station, said a case had been filed on charges of obstructing public officials from performing their duties and assaulting a police officer.

Efforts are under way to arrest the accused.