Passenger shed grabbed, finally

A few locals belonging to the ruling Awami League built three shops, forcibly occupying this shed meant for bus passengers beside Lalmonirhat-Burimari highway at Milon Bazar in Barokhata union in Hatibandha upazila under Lalmonirhat district on Tuesday night. PHOTO: STAR

A group of locals belonging to the ruling Awami League (AL) finally grabbed the shed meant for passengers beside Lalmonirhat-Burimari highway at Milon Bazar of Barokhata union in Hatibandha upazila under the district on Tuesday night.
Instructed by Abu Bakkor Siddique, an influential AL activist, they also built three shops there overnight, locals said.
Earlier on Monday night, people belonging to the same gang tried to occupy the shed and injured local union parishad (UP) member Rafiqul Islam as he protested the act. At that time local people came forward and foiled the gang's bid to occupy the shed.
The injured UP member is undergoing treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital.
The shed, built by the district council on two decimals of land at a cost of Tk 4 lakh four years ago, has been serving as shelter for bus passengers, especially during rainy and sunny days, said people at Milon Bazar.
Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal, chairman of Barokhata UP, said, "The Awami League men, who seriously injured UP member Rafiqul Islam during their failed attempt to grab the shed on Monday night, came again with larger preparations and built shops there on Tuesday night. I have informed the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of the matter."
Hatibandha UNO Golam Sarowar said he will take necessary step to free the passenger shed from the occupiers.
Meanwhile, Abu Bakkor Siddique denied his involvement in occupying the shed.