A group of Biharis allegedly made an attempt to kill their own community people by setting fire to a house at Mirpur Purbo Kurmitola Bihari camp in the early hours of yesterday.
Riaz Uddin Ahmed, senior vice-president of Bangladeshi Bihari Rehabilitation Assembly, Kurmitola Branch said: “Bhantu Chairman’s men Raju, Selim and four others locked the door of Feku’s house around 3:00 am and then tried to set fire to the house. The criminals confined Feku and two others in the house and tried to kill them by setting fire to the house.”
Later, the police went to the spot, broke the lock and rescued the victims, he added.
Jalaluddin Bhantu, chairperson of Kurmitola Relief Committee, was made the main accused in a case filed by Riaz on June 12 with Pallabi police station over Bhantu’s illegal electricity business.
After filing the case, Bhantu’s men were issuing threat to Riaz and the community people as they raised voice against him, said Riaz.
Victim Fazlul Haque Feku told the Dhaka Tribune: “I was asleep at that time. My wife and sister-in-law were at the house. I don’t know why they were trying to kill us. Yesterday I filed a case with Pallabi police station in this connection.”
Neaz Ahmed Khan, chief patron of BBRA said: “Bhantu is now trying to kill us. He is issuing threat to withdraw the case.”
BBRA office vandalised
Md Nasim, publicity secretary of BBRA, said Bhantu chairman’s men Raju and Abid on Friday threatened them for filing the case against him (Bhantu).
He said: “Bhantu’s men stormed into our office and vandalised furniture. They also tore up our organisation’s flag.” Nasim yesterday filed a general dairy against Bhantu and his men with Pallabi police station. Counter case against Riaz and Nasim.
Bhantu also filed a case against Riaz and Nasim on charge of beating a Bihari woman. He said: “Riaz and Nasim on Thursday harassed and beat up a women. So, we filed the case against them last night.” He, however, admitted that Neaz’s men filed a case against him.
Bhantu alleged that they tried to kill themselves for filing a false case against him. “They are doing so as they did not get electricity. I have a list of camps where their names are not included. So, I ordered to cut off electricity.”
However, he denied the allegation brought against him.
“They were taking illegal power lines to their houses and shops. Most of them do not reside here rather they live in Mirpur 10.” Confirming the matter, Officer-in-Charge of Pallabi police station Ziauzzaman told the Dhaka Tribune that they were investigating the incident.
“Such incidents are taking place at the camp every day. Both groups yesterday filed case and general dairy with Pallabi police station,” he added.