Ruling party supporters are on the rampage after election in Gopalpur upazila on March 31
Hexagenarian Sokhina probably faced the most terrifying moment of her life when ruling party supporters pinned a gun on her head.
“Give us your sons,” they said. Sokhina was granted with an option – payment of Tk20,000 within 10 minutes, locals and witnesses said.
Though Sokhina could get away begging for relief, others known to be affiliated with BNP in the area were less fortunate.
The post-election violence in Gopalpur upazila, Tangail said to have escalated with ruling party supporters on the rampage.
There have been several reports of vandalism, arson and loot conducted allegedly by ruling party supporters after upazila election on March 31.
Most of the BNP supporters said to have cleared the area in fear.
Armed ruling party men attacked Sokhina’s house in Hemnagar area on Monday night looking for her sons Humayun Kabir Liton, Nur Nabi and Lokman.
Unable to locate the trio, they vandalised the house and pinned a gun on Sokhina’s head demanding for her sons or money in exchange, locals said.
It was in that night, they vandalised establishments of BNP leaders Liton Mia, Harun-R-Rashin, Abdul Barek, Anisur Rahman, Lal Mia and Rezaul Karim in Hemnagar Bazar.
Even the poultry farm of BNP supporter Shafiqul Islam was not spared. In addition to his chickens, his shop was vandalised and looted.
Meanwhile, several villages in Jawail union were attacked in the night.
The pharmacy of BNP activist Dr Hamid was vandalised. Another activist Badiuzzaman was assaulted in Mouza Dakuri.
Chhatra Dal leader Aminul Islam’s house was vandalised and set on fire. Even the house of Upazila Parishad member Ayub Ali was not spared.
Gopalpur police station Officer-in-Charge Mahbub Uddin said he had heard about some incidents of violence. “We take steps ahead of a big occurence.”
No cases were filed in this regard until last reported on Tuesday evening.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
