Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) went on a rampage after two of their members were killed in a road accident yesterday in Bhimolpur area of Fulbari in Dinajpur.
At least 12 people were injured when BGB members started vandalising shops and vehicles in the area and locked themselves in a clash with the villagers. Eight seriously injured, including four bullet-hit, were admitted to various hospitals and clinics for further treatment.
Protesting the attack, villagers blocked the Dinajpur-Gobindaganj regional highway by felling trees and setting fire for eight hours. This caused a huge tailback on both sides of the road.
Locals said, two BGB men – Al Amin and Rubel Hossain of 29 battalion – were killed when their motorcycle collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction near the Shanta-Kanta flour factory around 2pm yesterday. Hearing the news, a large number of BGB jawans came out of their barracks and started vandalising shops and vehicles indiscriminately. When local people protested, BGB men first charged batons and then opened fire. Witnesses said at least 20 rounds of bullets were fired. BGB men were also seen patrolling the area with lethal weapons. At that time a magazine full of bullets fell on the ground and was picked up by a woman, who ran away instantly. Police arrested three people during a search for the magazine.
Acknowledging the incident, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Dinajpur Shamim Al Rajhi and Police Super Ruhul Amin said a large number of police, including an executive magistrate, had been appointed to keep the situation under control.
Meanwhile, 29 battalion Commander Lt Col Jahidur Rashid claimed that the two BGB went on an operation at Rajarampur area and seized Indian saris worth Tk50 lakh right before the accident. “When they were returning to the barracks, a truck hit their motorcycle from the front. Previously, miscreants tried to snatch the seized material.”
The commander suspected that they could have been killed as a repercussion of the operation. Separate cases will be lodged in this regard, said Jahidur Rashid.
However, witnesses said the BGB members had been trying to overtake a truck when they were hit by an oncoming truck. They died on the spot after the head-on collision. While police took the truck into custody, the driver escaped the scene right after the accident.
After the day-long tension in the area, the villagers withdrew the road blockade following a meeting with the BGB officials at around 10pm.
Upazila Chairman Khurshid Alam Moti said they decided to go back to their houses as BGB assured to investigate the matter and take action against those responsible for the anarchy. As demanded by the villagers, BGB said they would also look into the treatment of the injured and financially support those who had been affected by the vandalism.