Play store
Ashikur Rahman Hridoy, SHARIATPUR: A dispute over the installation of an election billboard in Naria has led to allegations that a BNP leader labelled the uncle of a July martyr a “fascist” and took him to the police station, while also threatening the officer-in-charge (OC) after police decided to release him.
The accused is Matiur Rahman Sagar, organising secretary of Naria upazila BNP and a candidate for chairman of Gharisar Union Parishad.
The incident occurred on Monday afternoon in the Noadda Bangla Bazar area of the upazila.
According to locals, eyewitnesses and the alleged victim, Sagar went to the area to install an election billboard. Abu Taleb, father of July martyr Mirajul Islam Arnab and owner of the land, objected to the installation. An altercation followed and the two reportedly got into a scuffle.
Later, Arnab’s uncle Abdus Salam went to the scene after hearing about the incident. Sagar and his associates allegedly assaulted him and took him to the police station, labelling him a “fascist”.
Sagar allegedly demanded Salam’s arrest, accusing him of tearing down and burning his election banner. When the OC said action would be taken after investigation, Sagar reportedly demanded that Salam be arrested as an unnamed accused in a previous case filed under the Explosives Act.
Police later decided to release Salam after finding no evidence linking him to the incident.
At that point, Sagar allegedly threatened OC Anwar Hossain, saying, “Bahar (the previous OC) went the way he did, and you will go the same way.”
A video of the alleged incident has already circulated on social media.
There have also been previous allegations against Sagar of threatening journalists and officials of the administration. The incidents were reported on social media and in various media outlets, while victims have reportedly filed at least six separate general diaries (GDs) with police.
Abdus Salam said his elder brother got into an argument with Sagar over the installation of a signboard on his property.
“At one point, my brother was assaulted. After hearing about it, I went to the scene and later left. Shortly afterwards, eight to 10 people attacked and beat me in front of my house. They tried to detain me and take me to the police station by labelling me as a Jubo League activist,” he said.
He condemned Sagar’s behaviour and demanded action against him.
Al Amin, joint general secretary of Gharisar Union BNP, said his nephew was killed during the July movement.
“Matiur Rahman Sagar tried to label that martyr as a Chhatra League activist. I am involved in BNP politics, but such activities by Sagar are damaging the party’s image,” he said.
He also declared Sagar unwelcome in the Bangla Bazar area and urged Shafiqul Rahman Kiran, BNP president of Shariatpur district and MP from Shariatpur-2, to take organisational action against him.
Contacted for comment, Sagar did not answer several phone calls. However, when another journalist called him, he denied having any such conversation with the OC.
“I did not have any such conversation with the OC. Check it if you get it,” he said before ending the call.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Naria Circle) Mohiuddin Miraj said police had verified the complaint they received.
“It was a general altercation. The incident involved Abdus Salam’s brother, so we released Salam,” he said.
Regarding the alleged threat to the OC, the police official said the incident was unfortunate.
“We work for the state. If we make any mistake, the state will look into it. But if we are harassed while carrying out our duties to maintain law and order, the state will also look into that,” he said.
He added that the matter had been reported to senior authorities and police would act according to their instructions.
Shafiqul Rahman Kiran, president of Shariatpur district BNP and MP from Shariatpur-2, said Sagar had previously been involved in several confrontations with government officials and had apologised to the administration in writing.
“He had threatened the UNO and made remarks targeting the AC Land. He also made some remarks against our SP. We formed an investigation team over those incidents. He later went to the party office and apologised to the party and asked me to look into the matter,” Kiran said.
He said he had already submitted a report to the party and that the latest incident would also be investigated.
“We do not have the authority to expel a party worker at any time we want. We will investigate the matter and send it to the party’s acting secretary general. We had also sent the previous report, but no decision was taken due to other commitments,” he said.
Kiran said Sagar’s behaviour was unacceptable. “The way he spoke in a loud voice was not at all desirable. Those of us who live in society and engage in politics have no right to behave in such an arrogant manner,” he said.
He added that he would discuss the matter with senior party leaders within the next two days.