Tale of a upazila chairman's pre-and post-poll tyranny

At least 50 people belonging to Hindu community in Khasial union have been assaulted allegedly by Kalia upazila chairman and his men before and after UP poll as they refused to cast their votes and work for the candidate nominated by the chairman.
Prior to the election, UZ Chairman Shamimur Rahman Khan threatened the minority people and also put pressure on them to vote for his nominated UP chairman candidate Farid Sikder.
Many candidates lodged written allegations with the district administration and the district election office for urgent remedy before the election that held on June 19 this year, but to no effect. At the same time some newspapers also published stories on the role of the upazila chairman. Farid Sarker was, however, elected chairman of Khasial Union Parishad.
While visiting Charkhali, Surigati, Bramdhon Patna, Boro Patna, Shibanondopur and Talbaria villages under Khasial union on September 3, the Hindus have narrated upazila chairman Shamimur Rahman Khan's tyranny to this correspondent.
“Minority people dare not filing any case against him. If any case is filed against the chairman, police do not take any step,” they alleged.
Just before the UP poll, the UZ chairman assaulted Gopal Chandra Roy, a Hindu merchant in Botdia Bazar, as he refused to work for his nominated candidate Farid Sarker, they further said.
On the night of September 2, a gang of 10-12 criminals led by Shamimur Rahman Khan's younger brother Saton Khan swooped on Gopal Chandra and his brother Sanjoy with iron rods and hokey sticks while they were returning home from Botdia Bazar. They received serious injuries and are now undergoing treatment at Khulna Medical College and Hospital.
Gopal's family said they will soon file a case against the persons involved in the attack.
Palash Das, secretary of Udichi Botdia unit, said the chairman's men beat him up severely after the election, alleging that he did not vote for Farid. “I took treatment at Kalia Upazila Health Complex and did not file any case fearing further attack,” he added.
Tusher Das, a rickshaw-puller of Bramdhon Patna village, said he was also beaten up by the chairman's men on the night of September 2 as he was carrying Gopal and Sanjoy Roy in his rickshaw.
It is also learnt that Bidhan Das and Laddi Das of Patna village, Mintu of Tona village and many others Hindus were assaulted by Kalia upazila chairman after UP polls.
Chairman's men assaulted a journalist named Hirok Pasha a few months ago as he came to his relative's house at Botdia village. The gang vandalised his motorbike and took away money from him. Pasha filed a case with Naragati Police Station.
Upazila Chairman Shamimur Rahman Khan refuted all allegations, saying that a section of people are jealous of his reputation. “They are bringing false allegations against me to tarnish my image,” he added.
Riazul Islam, officer-in-charge of Naragati Police Station said no complaint against the UZ chairman was filed with the police station as of yesterday. “If anyone files any allegation against him, we must take necessary steps”, he added.
Contacted, Additional Police Superintendent (Circle) Tariqul Islam said police on Monday arrested UZ chairman's brother Saton Khan, Omit Mojumder and Rahman Khan in a case lodged by a journalist a few months ago.