Jubo Dal activist branded as ‘collaborator of fascists’, leaseholder threatened by leader in Sunamganj
Sunamganj Correspondent
In Dharmapasha, a government water body generates nearly Tk 62 lakh in annual revenue.
The fight for dominance, fish looting, and occupation of that bill has now spilled into politics and personal mudslinging. For the “crime” of reading a written statement, former Chhatrodal leader and current Jubodal activist Zahirul Haque Hira has been tagged as a “collaborator of fascists”! In response, this Jubodal leader fired back, accusing the other side of having been beneficiaries of the Awami League and Bikolpodhara in the past.
On Sunday at 3:00 PM, these explosive allegations about local politics and water body occupation came out during a press conference held under the banner of Joydhana Fishermen’s Cooperative Society Ltd. at the office of Daily Sunamkantha in Sunamganj town.
At the center of the incident is the historic ‘Dubail Bill’ in Dharmapasha upazila. According to local fishermen, on July 21, an armed group of 20-25 people led by Md. Nurul Islam (BSc), Joint Convener of Upazila BNP, and Salahuddin Mahtab, President of Sukhair Rajapur South Union BNP, illegally entered the bill with two boats. They allegedly beat up guards, vandalized boats, and looted fish.
In protest, leaseholder and society member Malek Sikder held a press conference at the Press Club on July 24. Since Malek Sikder is illiterate, former Chhatrodal leader Zahirul Haque Hira read the written statement on his behalf for humanitarian reasons. That angered the other side.
The very next day, July 25, the accused BNP leaders held their own press conference, labeling Hira a “collaborator of fascist Awami League” and an “outsider”.
In the press conference, Zahirul Haque Hira said, I am a permanent resident of Dharmapasha and have been on the streets for movement and struggle for 17 years. But look at the background of those calling me a fascist today! One of them presented a bouquet to the Awami League president, another came from Bikolpodhara, and someone else was an agent for the Boat candidate in local elections.
Victim Hira said, on June 8, while returning from the Deputy Commissioner’s office with the government revenue receipt, a group of criminals stopped him near Abduz Zohur Bridge. Showing weapons and threatening to kill him, they forced him to sign three blank 100-Taka non-judicial stamps. He fears these could be used later for major forgery.
Meanwhile, the main complainant of the society, Malek Sikder, has been living in hiding in Sunamganj district town for a long time due to continuous threats. Earlier, seeking justice, he also submitted a written application to the Divisional Commissioner of Sylhet. It is worth noting that a case regarding theft in the said water body is already pending in court.
Speakers warned that because of this reckless occupation and chaos by influential people, the government is losing huge amounts of revenue, while real fishermen are losing their livelihoods and living in extreme insecurity.
They demanded that the district administration and law enforcement agencies immediately including protection of Dubail Bill from this armed group ;
recovery of the snatched stamps and
conduct a neutral investigation and bring the real culprits under the law
Society President Kamal Mia, Senior Vice President Idris Mia, General Secretary Usman Mia, and other members and fishermen were present.
