Peace lost to personal rivalry
Feud between incumbent, ex-UP chairman makes people suffer
People of Kadamtala union in Pirojpur Sadar upazila are passing days amid panic, fearing police arrest.
The situation arises due to a longstanding rivalry between incumbent Kadamtala Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Sheikh Shihab Hossain, and Mohammad Hanif Khan, former chairman of the UP.
Local people, seeking anonymity, said the atmosphere of the area turned worsened since Shihab's men allegedly severed the right hand of Nadim, one of Hanif's supporters, on Thursday.
Later, victim Nadim's aunt Tamanna filed a case with Sadar Police Station accusing 32 people, including Shihab, and 20 to 25 other unnamed on Friday.
Pirojpur Superintendent of Police (SP) Mohammad Saidur Rahman said additional police have been deployed at different points to avoid any untoward incident.
Earlier on December 8, Shihab's men allegedly broke both the legs of Hanif's another supporter Ruhul Amin Sheikh, a member of Ward No 9 under adjacent Sikdar Mollic union.
Locals alleged that incidents of attacks and counter attacks between the two rival groups have become a common scenario.
The rivalry started since the first phase of the UP polls held on June 21 last year, they said.
The two groups have also filed over a dozen of cases with Pirojpur Sadar Police Station against each other.
A number of villagers alleged that frustration is mounting among local residents over police role for failing to bring the situation under control.
While visiting the union on Friday this correspondent noticed fewer presence of people on roads and outside homes.
Local resident Shahidul Islam said Hanif's role was not satisfactory when he was the chairman of the UP.
Another villager Humayun Kabir Sheikh said they are passing days amid fear as clashes are often occurring among Hanif and Shihab's men.
Contacted, Hanif, also general secretary of the union unit Awami League, said many of his supporters have left the locality, fearing Shihab wrath.
Despite repeated attempts, this correspondent could not reach Shihab over phone for his comment.