Former local BNP lawmaker Zahir Uddin Swapan for Barisal 1 constituency, Gournadi upazila BNP Vice President and Sharikal union Parishad Chairman Manzur Hossain Milon along with over a hundred BNP activists have been sued for allegations of involvement in 2001 pre-election violence in Gournadi upazila, Barisal.
Delwar Hossain, president of the upazila Krishak League, the peasant front of ruling Awami League, lodged the case with Gournadi police station on Sunday night.
Officer-in-Charge of Gournadi police station Abul Kalam said the case had been lodged under the penal code for attacking on Awami League activists, supporters and for looting, damaging, torching their properties and creating terrorism by blasting explosives.
The complainant alleged that during campaigning for the eighth national election, the accused led by UP chairman Milon attacked his and his father’s houses at Kurirchar on September 19, 2001 under the direction of lawmaker Swapan.
Delwar Hossain in the case alleged that after giving death threats the accused looted and damaged properties worth Tk200,000 on that day, he also added that they repeated the attacks on the same houses on the following day and looted properties worth Tk160,000.
Saying that he saved his life by taking shelter in the neighbouring house of Sattar Peyada, Delwar mentioned non-cooperation from law enforcers and the post-election political situation of the country as cause behind the delay in filing the case.
However, Zahir Uddin Swapan termed the case to be “false and politically motivated,” adding that the case was lodged as the ruling party failed to face his political popularity and to prevent the sure defeat of the ruling alliance in the next general election.
At least 30 minority and AL supporter families in Dhandoba, 25 in Bilbogram, 20 in Chandshi, 15 in Khanjapur, 5 in Illa, 5 in Gerakul villages
under Gournadi, 50 families in Rajihar, 25 in Ramanander Aak, 30 in Bahadurpur, 25 in Bakal, 30 in Patihar
villages under Agoiljhara upazilas in Barisal came under attack of the 2001-election winner BNP-led 4-party alliance cadres.
Meanwhile, Barisal district police office sources said a letter from the home ministry reached there on July 16, 2013, directing the officer-in-charges of different police stations to register cases regarding 2001-election violence.
After that two cases were lodged in Banaripara police station on July 17 and July 18. One of them was filed against former home minister Air-Vice Marshal (retd) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury in Patuakhali.