A tea worker leader, who was allegedly injured in an attack during a protest demanding a daily wage of Tk500, has been arrested and sent to jail after being named the prime accused in a case filed over the incident in Srimangal, Moulvibazar.
Gita Rani Kanu, one of the key leaders of the movement, was detained by police on Wednesday night and later sent to jail by a Moulvibazar court.
The protesters alleged that the case was deliberately filed against them while they were receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the alleged attack.
The clash occurred on Monday during a human chain and rally in the Choumuhana area. Protesters alleged that leaders of the Bangladesh Tea Workers' Union attacked them, leaving 10 to 12 workers injured. Several of the injured received treatment at Moulvibazar Sadar Hospital.
Srimangal Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdullah Al Mamun said a case had been filed naming Gita Rani Kanu as the prime accused, along with four other named individuals and six to seven unidentified persons.
According to the case, Bangladesh Tea Workers' Union Central Committee General Secretary Nipen Pal filed the complaint under several sections of the Penal Code, including those relating to unlawful assembly, assault, vandalism, theft and criminal intimidation.
The other named accused are Janak Lal Deshwara, Akash Goala, Bishwo Prasad Goala and Gopal Yadav.
The case alleges that the accused entered the Labour House as a group, assaulted Nipen Pal, stole Tk5,700 in cash and vandalised furniture, causing an estimated Tk20,000 in damage.
Before her arrest, Gita Rani Kanu said the protesters had planned to march towards the offices of the DDL and the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) under their scheduled programme and had obtained police permission.
She alleged that they were attacked while passing the road in front of the tea workers' union office.
According to Gita, tea worker leader Dulal Hazra first tore their banner. She alleged that union treasurer Paresh Kalindi and leader Subash Ravidash then took several protesters near the gate of the union office, where General Secretary Nipen Pal, Balishira Valley President Bijoy Hazra, Suman Hazra, Suman Tati and others allegedly assaulted them.
Gita said she, Janak Lal Deshwara and Radha Mohan Nuniya received treatment at Moulvibazar Sadar Hospital following the incident.
She alleged that as they were undergoing treatment, they could not immediately file a case. When they later went to the police station, they learned that a case had instead been filed against them.
Another tea worker leader Akash Dosad claimed that video footage of the alleged attack was available. He alleged that the assault took place in the presence of police, who did not intervene to protect the protesters.
He further alleged that those responsible for the attack vandalised the union office themselves and were attempting to blame the protesters.
Union denies attack allegations
Bangladesh Tea Workers' Union General Secretary Nipen Pal denied allegations that union leaders had attacked the protesters.
He alleged that the protesters entered the union office, created disorder and used abusive language in an attempt to take control of the premises, prompting him to file the case.
Asked whether any video footage or CCTV recordings were available to support allegations of vandalism inside the office, Nipen said there were no CCTV cameras on the premises.
He denied personally assaulting anyone and said the alleged altercation should be investigated.
Moulvibazar Sadar Hospital Residential Medical Officer Ahmed Faisal Zaman said three injured people were admitted to the hospital and discharged the following day after receiving treatment.
One of the injured, Janak Lal, alleged that he later had to seek treatment elsewhere because of security concerns following the filing of the case.
Tea workers have been continuing their movement, demanding a daily wage of Tk500, the withdrawal of a 5 percent increment, land rights and union elections, among other demands.
Union leaders, however, said they were examining whether demands for an “interim committee”, raised during the programme, indicated an agenda beyond the wage movement.
