Police complaint against 8 leaders of Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal in Tamabil Customs auction clash

Own Correspondent: A written complaint has been filed with the Gowainghat Police Station against 8 leaders of the Jaintapur Upazila Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal in connection with the clash over the auction of goods at Tamabil Customs in Gowainghat Upazila, Sylhet.

The complaint states that Monir Hossain, president of the Land Port Workers Trade Union (Reg. No. Chatta-2214), and several others were injured in the attack by the opponents. It is also alleged that the attackers looted about 150,000 taka.

In this incident, Saddam Hossain, the organizing secretary of Tamabil Sthalabandhan Sramik Trade Union, filed a written complaint with the police station against 8 people including Jaintapur Upazila Jubo Dal joint convener Faruk Ahmed (Sweet), joint convener Jamil Ahmed, Upazila Swechchhasebak Dal convener Md. Shahajahan, member secretary Abdullah Ilias, Upazila Chhatra Dal convener Badrul Alam Shaon, joint convener Soleman Ahmed, member secretary Shahin Alam, member Mahfuz Ahmed and 10/12 other unidentified people.

Local and complaint sources said that on Wednesday (August 27), there was an auction to sell goods including a seized Indian stolen motorcycle at Tamabil Customs Station. When the neighboring Jaintapur Upazila Chhatra Dal convener Badrul Alam Shaon, member secretary M. Shaheen Alam, joint convener Suleman Ahmed, and volunteer party member secretary Abdullah Ilias arrived and tried to take control of the auction, businessmen and workers detained them.

Later, after receiving their call from Chhatra Dal, some more people went to the spot and stopped the auction. Upazila Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal leaders and activists. At that time, a clash broke out between the two sides. Many people from both sides were injured.

Saddam Hossain further said, “We were suddenly attacked with indigenous weapons. They not only beat us up, but also looted our cash. We are now terrified. The attackers have threatened to kill us. The video footage captures the entire attack. We want the police to take swift action. We are peace-loving workers, but we will not tolerate rioting.”

It is also known that these accused have become reckless since August 5 last year. The common people are fed up with their various activities including tender rigging and extortion in Sylhet Gas Field and Tamabil Land Port. Also, in the case of attack on the army in Haripur Bazar last March, the names of Upazila Jubo Dal joint convener Faruk Ahmed (Sweet) and Chhatra Dal member secretary Shahin Alam at number 7 are on the accused list.

Conscious circles believe that this attack is not just a personal attack, but an attack on the peaceful life and dignity of the workers. A strong stand must be taken now; the common people are not safe, and swift legal action against those who oppress the innocent is essential.

Badrul Alam Shaon of Jaintapur Upazila Chhatra Dal told the media that even after August 5, Awami League allies are controlling the Tamabil land port. Nur Uddin and Jalal Uddin together hold the key to that control through a syndicate.

Shaon said, “When we went to participate in the auction, Nur Uddin and his men stopped us. They got into an argument. Later, when the compromise was being discussed, labor leader Monir Uddin slapped the table and provoked us, asking, ‘What kind of compromise is this?'”

Inspector (Investigation) of Gowainghat Police Station said that a written complaint has been received from the workers regarding the clash. The complaint is being investigated.