UZ chairman killing sequel to local AL-BNP conflict

A large number of people returning from Begum Rokeya Girls' High School ground after attending the namaj-e-janaja of Boraigram upazila chairman Sanaullah Noor Babu yesterday. Babu, also president of Bonpara municipality unit BNP, was killed in an attack by ruling Awami League activists on a procession of BNP at Bonpara in Natore on Friday. Photo: STAR

Fridays' killing of Boraigram upazila chairman and BNP leader Sanaullah Noor Babu is a sequel to local confrontational politics over the years, said local residents and political leaders.
On March 28 in 2002, Awami League (AL) activists killed Ali Mollah alias Alam, president of the upazila unit of Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal. Hours later, BNP activists beat up the then upazila AL president Dr Aynul Haq, who succumbed to his injuries at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital the next day. BNP men also torched houses and shops of some 16 AL men at that time.
Talking to The Daily Star yesterday, Aynul's son Zakir Hossain, also former information and research secretary of the upazila AL, said, "Natore BNP president Ruhul Kuddus Talukhdar Dulu is responsible for the 2002 attacks on Awami League leaders. As local people were angry with Dulu for the incidents, they could not tolerate Dulu's joining the local BNP's protest rally on Friday. They attacked the BNP procession and Babu as he was leading it, chanting slogans welcoming Dulu.”
Babu was to preside over a BNP rally at Bonpara in Nature as part of BNP's countrywide programmes in upazilas on Friday and Dulu was scheduled to attend as chief guest.
Asked about his presence on video footages where Babu was seen being beaten, Zakir said, “Hearing the attack on Babu, I went there and tried to pacify the attackers.”
“AL men were fleeing homes after the 2002 incidents. It was Babu who gave Zakir shelter at Bonpara again for doing politics. I cannot think how Zakir and his men could beat Babu to death,” said Shafikur Rahman, a BNP worker at Bonpara.
“Babu was not involved with the 2002 incidents of arson and attack on AL men. It was Dulu who masterminded the attacks with assistance from the BNP faction led by Ekramul Haq. AL men and local businessmen got angry as Babu was welcoming Dulu,” said Mizanur Rahman, the upazila AL general secretary.
On September 8 this year, BNP worker Sohrab Hossain accused Zakir's brother Zamil Hossain and 16 others in a case filed with Boraigram PS for looting his sweetmeat shop and later police arrested Zamil.
“Awami League and BNP men show hostile attitude toward each other in Bonpara. They turn violent at minor incidents,” said Habibur Rahman, a local resident.
Seeking justice for Babu's killing, Babu's wife Mohua Noor Kochi said, “The murderers were encouraged as previous murders were not tried. Babu was elected the upazila chairman as he was acceptable to all irrespective of Awami League and BNP.”
"I am now helpless as Babu sold all his property for his election," said a wailing Kochi sitting with her daughters -- Sanjida Noor Punam, an HSC examinee, Sadia Noor Poroma, an SSC examinee, and six-year-old Suraiya Noor Upoma at Babu's government quarters.
Beaten up by workers of local Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League at Bonpara Bazar on Friday morning, Sanaullah Noor Babu succumbed to his injuries at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital in the afternoon.
A large number of people took part in the namaj-e-janaja of Babu at Bonpara High School field yesterday. He was buried at his family graveyard at Sardarpara.
Terming Babu's murder as a pre-planned one, Natore BNP president Dulu said, “Killers of the ruling party were encouraged by the recent release of 20 death sentenced people.”
Natore BNP has called a daylong hartal in the district today as the main opposition party is observing a three-day programme to mourn and protest the killing of Babu, also president of Bonpara poura unit of BNP.
A large number of police and Rab members was deployed at Bonpara and Natore following tension over the call of hartal.