Headmaster beaten up by AL men
A headmaster was beaten up by some local Awami League men in Barishal's Wazirpur upazila on Friday afternoon over the possession of Puttiari Beel.
At least five other people, including a journalist, were injured when the assaulters attacked them and vandalised the poultry feed shop of Uzzal Kumar Mandal, headmaster of Rajihar Secondary School in the district's Agailjhara upazila.
Witnesses said a group of about 25 people, led by Satla Union AL Organising Secretary Mashiur Mia and his brother Monir Mia, a local Jubo League leader, carried out the attack with sticks and iron rods.
Speaking at a press conference at Barishal press club yesterday, the headmaster alleged that Moshiur and Monir had been occupying Puttiari Beel for the last 15 years.
Uzzal said he along with other lessees of the water body released fish fries into it on Friday morning, which angered the siblings.
"Around 1:00pm, some 25 men, led by the two brothers, carrying sticks and iron rods vandalised my business, Eva Enterprises, at Patibari Bazar of Satla union. They beat me up and injured five other people, including local UP member Amar Mallik and journalist Nikunja Bala Palash. The attackers also looted Tk 5 lakh from my business," the headmaster said.
He said he filed a complaint with Wazirpur Police Station in connection with the incident on Friday, but police were yet to record it as a case.
Journalist Nikunja Bala said the assaulters attacked him and vandalised his mobile phone while he was filming the incident with the device.
Despite several attempts, The Daily Star could not reach Moshiur and Monir over the phone for comments as they did not respond to calls.
Momin Uddin, officer-in-charge of Wazirpur Police Station, said he received a complaint over the attack, and that an investigation was underway.
Satla Union Parishad Chairman Shaheen Howladar, also the union AL general secretary, said the attack was led by Monir and his brother Mashiur.
"I have already informed district Awami League President Abul Hasanat Abdullah MP about the incident," he added.