On the day after the settlement meeting, there was again attack, vandalism and clash between tribals and villagers under Sherpur upazila of Bogura district. At least five people from both sides were injured. Among them, two seriously injured tribals have been admitted to Upazila Health Complex. They are – Ujjal Singh, son of late Vijay Singh of Gomrata village of Bhavanipur Union and his brother Surjoy Singh.
This incident happened on Wednesday (January 11) around eight o’clock in the morning at the intersection of Ambeil village of Bhavanipur union of the upazila. After the clash, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sanjida Sultana, District Additional Superintendent of Police Sajib Shahriar and members of various intelligence agencies visited the spot.
Meanwhile, thousands of people were gathered by preaching through the microphone of the local village mosque after the incident of the clash. Besides, several hundred men and women of the tribal villages also took a stand for self-defense. As a result, there is a fear of a terrible bloody conflict between the two sides. However, on getting this news, the upazila and police administration officials quickly arrived at the scene and calmed them down and brought the situation under control. Two platoons of police were deployed to avoid clashes.
However, the situation in the area is stagnant. At the same time, there is pent-up anger among the villagers and extreme fear among the people of the tribal community. Even tribals are unable to go to local markets and workplaces due to insecurity and fear. They complained that they are living a blocked life in the village.
After investigation, it is known that for a long time, tribals have been in conflict with four local villagers regarding the ownership of Shatabigha land in Ambeil Mauza of Bhavanipur Union of Upazila. Even several cases are pending in court regarding those lands. For the past five-six days, there has been tension and conflict between the two sides over the possession of the disputed land. Later on Tuesday (January 10) afternoon, a reconciliation meeting was held between the two parties through the mediation of the upazila administration but the next day there was a bloody clash between them again.
Santosh Singh, president of Bogura District Committee of Adivasi Parishad, complained that on the morning of the incident, two brothers Ujjal and Sujarya were going to work. But because of the previous attack, Umar Farooq of Ambeil village and his people blocked their way and beat them to death.
On hearing the news, the tribals came forward to rescue them. At that time, people were called to the mosques of four surrounding villages, including Ambeil village, and started preparing to attack their houses.
Later the incident was reported to the members of law enforcement. This tribal council leader complained that there is a conspiracy to create communal riots. Mahbubar Rahman Swapan, Hafizur Rahman, Solaiman Ali are doing this by managing the local leaders of the ruling party. Their mercenaries are living in extreme insecurity due to armed drills and threats by terrorists. Can’t even go to the market for daily work due to fear. They can’t go to work. He complained that he was living a virtually blocked life.
However, Solaiman Ali Master of Ambeil village said that the upazila administration has accepted the decisions taken in the conciliation meeting. They are working accordingly. But on Wednesday morning disabled Omar Farooq was beaten up and his motorcycle vandalized by tribal people allegedly.However, he claimed that there was no such incident between the two parties due to the intervention of law and order forces.
When asked, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sherpur Police Station Ataur Rahman Khondkar said, “Both sides have been taken face-to-face position in Ambeil village. So no major untoward incident happened. Besides, the situation is normal now.’
“The police have been deployed to avoid clashes.”He added
