‘Not invited, AL leader foils it'

While the nation was celebrating Victory Day yesterday, an Awami League leader allegedly foiled a celebration programme in Chittagong for not getting an invitation letter.

Karnaphuli Upazila Administration organised the daylong event at AJ Chowdhury Degree College under Shikolbaha union in the upazila. It was observing the first Victory Day celebration since formation of the upazila in May this year, said Bijen Banarjee, upazila nirbahi officer (UNO).

“Around 11:00am, Union Parishad Chairman of Shikalbaha Jahangir Alam along with his men armed with sticks swooped on the programme. They vandalised chairs and microphone on the allegation that they were not invited,” he said.

The attack left one student injured, he claimed. People who came to participate in the programme fled the venue soon after the incident, he added.

Bijen claimed that he had sent an invitation letter to Jahangir Alam.

Jahangir could not be reached for comments over the phone as it was found switched off. The phone became active for 30 minutes from 5:30pm to 6:00pm, when this correspondent was calling him, but he did not pick up.

Seeking anonymity, many of the locals told The Daily Star that Jahangir is an ad hoc member of Karnaphuli upazila Awami League unit.

“If he had any complaints, he could have informed us. But he resorted to violence and attacked a state programme. The upazila administration will take legal steps after consulting with high-ups…,” UNO Bijen said.

He said after the incident, they continued the programme. They accorded reception to freedom fighters, but had to end the programme as there were not enough people.

The UNO also alleged that though the law enforcers were present during the attack, they remained inactive.

When asked, Md Hasan Imam, inspector of Karnaphuli Police Station, said no such attack took place. “An altercation broke out between the UNO and UP chairman over the invitation as the latter alleged that he did not get it,” he said.

Contacted, Karnaphuli Upazila Chairman Faruk Chowhdury said, “The UNO is new here, he does not know everyone...” He did not elaborate and hung up saying that he had to attend a Victory Day programme.

This correspondent tried to contact AL president of Karnaphuli upazila unit Sayed Jamal Ahmed for comments but he also did not pick up the phone.