3 people including Jamaat leader held in Bauphal

Police have arrested three people, including a Jamaat-e-Islami leader, over a clash at Char Ray Saheb Bazar in Chandradwip Union of Bauphal upazila in Patuakhali district.

The arrestees are Sohag, president of Jamaat’s Ward No. 3 unit in Chandradwip Union; Saiful, general secretary of the union unit of the Labour Welfare Federation; and Al-Amin.

Confirming the incident, Bauphal Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sirajul Islam said that Mainuddin filed a case naming seven people and accusing another four to five unidentified people.

“Of them, three were arrested and produced them before the court,” he said. Police arrested them from the Nimdi area of Nazirpur Union at around 11:30am on Wednesday.

A mediation meeting was held at Char Ray Saheb Bazar on Monday to settle a dispute over damage to fishing traps belonging to fishermen after buffaloes entered the Lalchar area of Chandradwip Union, police said while describing the fact. 10 Jamaat activists including Sohag, who is serving as a general secretary of Labour Welfare Federation attended the meeting.

An argument broke out during the meeting and soon escalated into a scuffle and clash, leaving seven people injured, including Shahin Rari, Mainuddin, Sohel Rari, Mamun, Yunus, Momtaz and Rani Begum.
Shahin Rari and Mainuddin were admitted to Bauphal Upazila Health Complex, while the others received first aid locally.

Mainuddin alleged that eight to 10 people, led by Sohag and Saiful, attacked them. Shahin Rari also alleged that the attackers took Tk 50,000 from him, which he had received from selling land.

Chandradwip Union Jamaat President Aminul Islam partially acknowledged the incident, saying the meeting was held over allegations of extortion from buffalo owners in Lalchar. He claimed that the situation escalated when the other side became agitated and a scuffle broke out.

Dr Shaharia of the emergency department at Bauphal Upazila Health Complex said Shahin Rari had a 14-centimetre cut injury on his head caused by a sharp weapon, as well as an injury to his left shoulder. Mainuddin also had injury marks on his body.