Confirming that six were ijured by bullets, Additional Police Super of Moulvibazar Molla Mohammad Shahin told the Dhaka Tribune last night: “About 20 people were injured in the attack made by BGB men.”
Witnesses said in the evening an altercation erupted between a BGB official, who came to dine at Panshi Restaurant, and a transport leader at the upazila city. A group of transport workers then beat the official.”
They said in retaliation, more than 100 BGB personnel, coming from the sector headquarters, armed with guns and sticks later coordinately attacked all roadside business organisations. They indiscriminately vandalised more than 100 business organizations and more than 100 vehicles on Vanugach road, College road, Habiganj road, Moulvibazar road and Station road in the city.
Later, workers and businessmen jointly attacked the BGB troop which in response4 opened fire on the transport workers.
Pharmecy trader Pabitra Pal, driver Shah Alam, businessmen Sukumar Das, Iqbal Mia and two other unidentified persons were shot by BGB at that time, said locals. Of them, critically injured Pabitra Pal was rushed to Osmani Medical College in Sylhet while the others are undergoing treatment at Moulvibazar Hospital.
Srimangal police station officer-in-charge Mahbubur Rahman said, “The situation was brought under control after police and RAB forces reached the upazila hearing the news of clash.”
To pacify the agitated people, the local administration held a meeting at 8:00pm yesterday at Choumuhuni in Srimangal where, among others, Moulvibazar Deputy Commissioner Tofayel Ahmed, SP Md Shahjalal and Srimangal upazila Chairman Randhir Dev took part. The meeting assured the locals of forming a probe committee over the incident, and of giving compensation to the affected businessmen.
Srimangal Business Association and Transport Owners Association called for an indefinite strike in the upazila from today.
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
