12 ruling party men arrested, BGB deployed in Barisal

The authorities have deployed members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in Barisal city as tension escalated over the attack on Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Munibur Rahman and ruling party men clashing with the law enforcers.

Deputy Commissioner Jasim Uddin Haider on Thursday afternoon said that the authorities had decided to deploy 10 platoons of BGB and called in 10 executive magistrates to bring the situation under control. 

The decision was made at an emergency meeting held at the DC’s official residence.

Police have so far arrested at least 12 leaders and activists of the Awami League and Chhatra League in connection with the two cases filed over the attack on the UNO on Wednesday night.

Police guarding the residence of UNO Munibur Rahman following the attack on Thursday, August 19, 2021 Dhaka Tribune

The arrestees include city unit Awami League Joint General Secretary Hassan Mahmud Babu, Relief Secretary Moazzem Hossain Firoz and Chhatra League Vice President Oliullah Oli.

UNO Munibur filed a case naming 28 people including Barisal City Corporation Mayor Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah and 70-80 unnamed others. The other case was lodged by police, Kotwali police Officer-in-Charge Nurul Islam said.

“We have arrested the persons after scrutinizing the CCTV footage and based on information by witnesses and intelligence. We are conducting raids to arrest the others involved in the attack on the UNO,” he added.

Police charging baton to control the clash in Barisal which left 25 more injured on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 Dhaka Tribune

The UNO’s official residence at the Sadar Upazila Complex premises came under attack at around 10pm on Wednesday over the removal of posters and banners.

At least seven people suffered bullet wounds and 25 others were injured in clashes among police and Ansar personnel and Awami League leaders and activists.

According to witnesses, city corporation employees went to the residence of UNO Munibur Rahman to lower a banner hung to mark National Mourning Day.

At one stage, the UNO came out and enquired about the matter, leading to an altercation with Swapan Kumar Das, a staffer of the city corporation.

During the altercation, some 25-30 people entered the complex and a scuffle broke out between the Ansar personnel and the mob over the issue, triggering a clash.

Also Read - Public transport services resume in Barisal

The Ansar members opened fire on them, leaving seven injured. They were admitted to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.

On receiving information, police rushed to the spot and baton-charged the crowd to disperse it.

Some 25 people were injured in the clashes with the police and Ansars.

Shahabuddin Khan, police commissioner of Barisal, said: "A police team rushed to the spot, where the attackers hurled brickbats at it. Three policemen and two Ansar members were injured during the incident.”

The mob also vandalized a bus in the area at night, he added.

UNO Munibur Rahman said: “Some 15-20 people identifying themselves as Chattra League members entered the complex. Later, some 60-70 people also entered the complex and went to the first floor of the building. They also tried to attack me but the Ansar members protected me."

City Mayor Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah said: "The city corporation staffers went there to perform their duties but the Ansar members swooped on them.” 

He demanded a probe into the clash.

Bus services resume

Meanwhile, bus services resumed after six hours on Thursday when transport workers lifted the blockade on Dhaka-Barisal highway, earlier called in protest against the clashes, reports UNB.

The transport workers, including the supporters of the city mayor, activists of the Chhatra League and Jubo League, blocked the highway in Rupatoli and Nathullabad bus terminal areas in the early hours of Wednesday.

Besides, launch services also resumed. Earlier, the supporters of the mayor did not allow any passenger vessel to leave the terminal, causing immense sufferings to commuters.