BNP activists left homes fearing leader who joined BNP from Awami League

They made these allegations at a press conference held at Parameshwardi village in the upazila at 5:30 pm on Thursday (July 30). Joint convener of upazila Jubo Dal Mahbub Hasan Sajeeb read out the written statement.

In the written statement, he said that although several clashes occurred in the area centering on the February 12 national parliamentary election, the situation had returned to normal on the initiative of the administration. However, later Abdul Mannan Matubbar began trying to regain influence in the area. He alleged that after staying in hiding for some time following the change of government, he and his followers returned to the area ahead of the union parishad election and have been carrying out atrocities on BNP activists and common people.

It was alleged at the press conference that the complainant and witnesses of the Nazim murder case are being pressured to withdraw the case. Because the case was not withdrawn, incidents of attacks on houses, looting, taking away livestock, preventing access to crop fields, and various forms of intimidation are taking place.

They claimed that due to these incidents, around 50 to 60 families have been displaced from their homes for the past five months. In addition, farmers have faced financial losses as they could not cut jute on about 60 to 70 bighas of land. Allegations were also made of looting fish from fish enclosures and killing fish by applying poison. They also said that several written complaints have been lodged at the police station in this regard.

Akkas Mollah, former president of BNP's ward no. 1 in Parameshwardi union, said that although he has been involved in BNP politics for a long time, he had also been a victim of political persecution in the past. Currently, due to the followers of Abdul Mannan Matubbar, he cannot live normally in his own home.

Akmal Sheikh, general secretary of Jubo Dal in ward no. 2, alleged that he has been away from home for about seven months since the election. He also claimed that he has been demanded three lakh taka as extortion.

Akubbar Matubbar, former president of BNP in the same ward, said that due to influential people, he cannot go to his own home or cut jute from his land, resulting in huge financial losses.

Syed Mehedi Hasan, general secretary of BNP in ward no. 5, alleged that the complainant and witnesses in the murder case of his nephew Syed Nazim Ali are being pressured to withdraw the case. He also claimed that attacks were carried out on their homes because the case was not withdrawn.

Attempts were made several times to reach Abdul Mannan Matubbar on his mobile phone to get his comments regarding the allegations, but it was found switched off. As a result, his response could not be obtained.

Mostafizur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Boalmari police station, said that if a written complaint is received in this incident, investigation will be carried out and necessary legal action will be taken.

At the press conference, BNP leaders demanded an impartial investigation into the allegations and necessary legal action against Abdul Mannan Matubbar.