Former politician Nixon Chowdhury accused of damaging Bhanga Police Station property
In the tranquil town of Bhanga, located in Faridpur district, a series of protests and violent incidents have disrupted the peace and caused significant disruption. The events, which began on September 5, have seen protesters block the Dhaka-Khulna and Faridpur-Bhanga highways, causing communication disruptions with 21 districts in the south.
The unrest reached a boiling point on Monday, September 15, with protesters vandalising and setting fire to several key establishments, including the offices of the United Nations Organisation (UNO), the Upazila Election Officer, the Bhanga police station, the highway police office, and numerous government vehicles. The attacks caused damages estimated to be worth at least Tk40 lakh, according to Bhanga police.
The situation in Bhanga has been far from normal, with the authorities taking swift action to restore order. Police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Armed Police Battalion (APBn), and the army have all been deployed to maintain law and order in the area.
The agitation, however, did not cease immediately. It was suspended for three days after assurances from the UNO but resumed on September 9-11 and September 14-15. Protesters have now announced a four-day suspension of their movement.
The root of the conflict can be traced back to a decision made by the Election Commission on September 4, announcing that two unions of Bhanga upazila under Faridpur-4 constituency would be included in Faridup-2. This decision sparked widespread protests, leading to the current unrest.
A case has been filed against ex-MP Mujibur Rahman Nixon Chowdhury for an attack and vandalism at the Bhanga Police Station in Faridpur. The case also names 29 people, including Hamirdi Union Parishad Chairman Khokon Mia as the second accused. Besides Mujibur Rahman Nixon Chowdhury, other accused individuals in the case of the attack and destruction of Bhanga Police Station in Faridpur include Kamrul, Sirajul, and several unnamed associates.
It's worth noting that Algi Union Chairman Md Siddiqur Rahman was previously arrested in another case filed under the Speedy Trial Act. Several unnamed individuals have also been accused in the current case, as confirmed by Faridpur Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) Shamsul Azam.
Despite the ongoing tension, traffic on the highways is running smoothly in Bhanga, a testament to the authorities' efforts to restore normalcy. The situation, however, remains volatile, and the four-day suspension of the protests offers a brief respite in the ongoing saga.
