JCD Attack on Minority Community in Bangladesh

JCD Attack on Minority Community

OC stand-released, high police officials visit Agoiljhara

The Daily Star Report
Our Correspondent, Barisal

http://www.thedaily star.net/ 2007/05/26/ d70526070395. htm

The officer-in-chare of Agoiljhara police station, Yunus Ali Howladar, was suspended and stand-released on Thursday for his failure to take action against the attacks on minority community people at Askor-Dusmi village and playing a biased role in their favor.
The OC was replaced by ASP and Circle Inspector Aktaruzzaman, official sources said yesterday.
The actions were taken after human rights activists and high police officials including Barisal range additional deputy inspector general of police, Barisal additional police superintendent, circle inspector, representatives of Manabadhikar Aingato Sahayaota Kendro and Ain O Shalish Kendro visited the spot on Thursday.
Police also arrested 19 people including some members of notorious Qaium Bahini led by JCD cadre Quaium Molla.
The arrestees are Rubel,Tuku, Karim Molla, Humaun Kabir, Kabir Hossain, Fazlul Karim, Amir Hossain, Luthfor Howladar, Sultan Molla, Rubel Bakhtiar, Monir Bepari, Asaduzzaman, Al-Amin Howladar, Nazmul Islam, Alauddin Molla, Majid Bepari, Sohel Molla, Zakir Shah and Solainman.
Gang leader Qaium Molla was sent to jail on Tuesday when he surrendered to upazila magistrate court.
Agoiljhara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Abdul Latif and OC Yunus Howladar declined to make any comment after the action.
Sources said, a gang of musclemen allegedly led by JCD cadre Qaium tried to abduct teenage daughter Namita of Upen Bavallav on the night of May 5.
Local people caught Qauium but he was snatched by his associates. Several people including the teenage girl's uncles Gobinda Ballav and Amol Ballav were injured in the incident.
The victims' relatives went to the police station but police declined to accept a case. On the contrary, police recorded a case filed by the attackers and arrested one Gobinda.
On May 19, the musclemen led by Qaium again attacked the village and the house of Upen Ballav.
This time, when local people went to Agoiljhara police station to lodge case, on-duty constable Abdur Razzak allegedly misbehaved and drove them out from the compound.
Protesting the incidents, hundreds of people brought out a procession on Sunday demanding security and arrest of the attackers.
The circle inspector of police then visited the spot. On his order, Agoiljhara police accepted the case filed by the victims Sunday night.