Lalmonirhat correspondent

Abu Hena Mostafa Jamal Sohail, chairman of Barakhata Union Parishad in Hatibandha upazila of Lalmonirhat, has been accused of capturing a businessman and beating him and taking stamps. Emdadul Haque has lodged two separate written complaints against the trade union chairman Abu Hena Mostafa Jamal Sohail with the Upazila Nirbahi Officer and the police station. However, the union chairman has denied the allegation of beating.

According to the complaint, Emdadul Haque, son of Tarimuddin of Dalalpara village in Fakirpara union of the upazila, has a parts shop at Barakhata Bazar. On Thursday afternoon, three village policemen, including Shafiqul Islam, arrested Emdadul Haque and took him to the Union Parishad on the orders of Barakhata Union Parishad Chairman Abu Hena Mostafa Jamal Sohail from a tea shop next to his shop in Barakhata Bazar. Later, the chairman and the village police beat him up and took signatures on 10 land deeds (stamps). And Barakhata publicly threatened not to do business in the market. Upon receiving the news, some locals rescued him and admitted him to Hatibandha Health Complex.

Emdadul Haque became the plaintiff in the incident and lodged two separate complaints with Hatibandha Upazila Nirbahi Officer Samiul Amin and Hatibandha Police Station on Thursday night.

In this regard, Barakhata Union Parishad Chairman Abu Hena Mostafa Jamal Sohel said, Emdadul Haque's house is in the neighboring Fakirpara Union. As the chairman of that union was ill, I had just settled a dispute with Emdadul over the land of his brothers. Allegations of beatings and forced signatures are false.

Hatibandha Police Station OC Ershadul Alam said, "I have received a complaint against the chairman of Barakhata Union and the village police for beating a businessman." Necessary steps will be taken after investigation.

Hatibandha Upazila Nirbahi Officer Samiul Amin said, "I have heard the matter in public." If any complaint is received, legal action will be taken after investigation.