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A court in Netrokona has sent 25 leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami to jail in a case filed over a clash, attack and vandalism of motorcycles related to the leasing of a sacrificial animal market in Purbadhala.
Among them is Zainal Abedin, nayeb-e-ameer of the Purbadhala upazila Jamaat.
The accused appeared before the Netrokona Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday seeking bail after the expiry of their anticipatory bail granted by the High Court. Following a hearing, the court rejected their bail petitions and ordered them sent to jail.
The other accused include Dhalamulgাঁও Union Parishad Chairman Rezuanur Rahman, Nobel Khan, Mahfuzul Haque Ujjwal, Masum Akand, Sohag Mia, Sahab Uddin, Md Al Amin, Taizul Islam and Khokon Mia, among others.
According to the case documents and people familiar with the matter, May 20 was the scheduled day for leasing the sacrificial animal market in Purbadhala upazila. A clash broke out that day among activists of the BNP, Jubo Dal and Jamaat at the upazila parishad premises over the bidding for the market. The incident involved allegations of attacks and motorcycle vandalism.
Omar Sharif, vice-president of Agia Union Jubo Dal, filed the case with Purbadhala Police Station on May 25, naming 33 people, including Zainal Abedin, as accused.
Of the accused, 25 later secured anticipatory bail from the High Court. After the bail period expired, they appeared before the lower court on Wednesday morning to seek bail.
Local Jamaat sources said the accused have denied involvement in the incident. They claimed the case was filed against them over the dispute surrounding the market lease.
Zahirul Islam, assistant secretary and publicity and media affairs secretary of the district Jamaat, said, “We will face the case legally. We hope the court will soon withdraw this false case and arrange for the release of our leaders and activists.”
Purbadhala Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdullah Al Mamun confirmed that the court rejected the accused’s bail petitions and ordered them sent to jail.