Pabna “reign of terror”

Ishrat Farzana, a district administration official cries while describing the incident

Professionals and politicians irrespective of political affiliation yesterday rallied behind the Pabna district administration demanding exemplary punishment of those who assaulted government officials last Friday.

At a view exchange meeting at the deputy commissioner's (DC) office, they also vowed to resist the attackers, and expressed disappointment that Awami League high-ups have failed to resolve the issue. Terming the attack disgraceful, they alleged a group of criminals created a “reign of terror” in the district and “held them hostage” for years.

The district administration held the meeting to discuss last Friday's untoward incident, and ways to restore normalcy in the town. DC AFM Monjur Kadir and other administration officials present at the meeting laid before the elite the hurdles put in their way to carry out their duties.

More than 100 Jubo League and Bangladesh Chhatra League activists attacked two examination centres during a recruitment test of class-III government employees, as the DC refused to entertain various demands of Awami League MP Golam Faruk Prince. The attackers also vandalised a number of officers' vehicles.

"I've seen many terrorist activities in Pabna, but the attack on government officials is a new experience to me," said 75-year-old Ranesh Moitra, known to be a language hero in the district. "It seems police on that day worked for the attackers, not for the government." Moitra, also a journalist, said all the good activities in the district have been diminished by the incident. Senior AL leaders should immediately act to resolve it, he added.

Talking about the view exchange meeting, Prince said he has already complained against the DC to his party high-ups. He alleged the DC invited some selected persons who would speak in his favour.

Meanwhile, police yesterday arrested Jony, also known as Dim (egg) Jony, a BCL activist, in a case filed in connection with the attack. With this, six out of 31 persons accused in the two cases have been arrested.

Freedom fighter and veteran AL supporter Baby Islam questioned police administration's ability to provide security to general public when security of government staff is “at stake”. Criticising inaction of the police during the attack, Baby said the attackers must be punished.

Mosharaf Hossain, additional superintendent of police in Pabna, said at the meeting the role of police during the incident is being investigated. He, however, could not explain the police failure to arrest the attackers immediately. "We've intensified drives by setting up check posts at different points so the attackers can't flee," Mosharaf, who is now supervising the two cases filed against the attackers, told the meeting.

Pabna chamber of commerce Vice-president Mahbub-ul Alam Mukul said he cannot accept that the people of Pabna will be held hostage by a small group of “criminals”.

Zakir Hossain, Workers Party's district secretary, hoped the criminals would get punished.

District Mohila AL Joint Secretary Shamsunnahar Rekha said the crisis will worsen further if the administration keeps dragging its feet on the incident. She termed the attack shameful, but claimed many innocent people were implicated in the cases. "We should not blame all for a few bad people," she said.

Earlier at the meeting, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) (general) Bijoy Bhushan Pal, ADC (revenue) Imam Uddin Kabir, ADC (education) Saidur Rahman and magistrate Israt Farzana, who were on duty in the two examination centres, described the attack.

DC AFM Monjur Kadir said, "I'll not bow down to any pressure. I'll not allow irregularities and corruption." He also said one of prime minister's personal secretaries called him on Wednesday night from New York to know what is happening, and he [DC] clarified his position.

Commander of Pabna district Muktijoddha Sangsad Habibur Rahman Habib, Pabna Krishak League president Shahidur Rahman, district Jubo League secretary Ragib Hasan Tipu, Sathia upazila chairman Nizamuddin, Chatmohor pourashova chairman, also a BNP leader, Prof Abdul Mannan, educationist Shibujit Nag, Principal of Pabna College Mahtab Uddin Biswas, among others, addressed the meeting.

Meanwhile, around 200 people, many of them Jubo League and Chhatra League activists, brought out a procession in the district and chanted slogans against the DC in presence of the police. They also protested the arrests of some of the accused, and demanded their immediate release.

Meanwhile, the central council of BCL last night issued a show-cause notice against its Pabna district unit president Ahmed Sharif Bablu and expelled four other leaders for their involvement in attacking government officials. The four expelled leaders are Sheikh Sabuj, Mohammad Jony (already arrested), Abdul Mannan and Sheikh Sanwar.