Return of relief angers AL men

Awami League (AL) activists yesterday ransacked the offices of upazila chairman and Sadar union parishad in Amtali upazila town under Barguna district protesting return of relief items meant for the victims of cyclone Aila.
About 220.5 tonnes of rice was sanctioned as relief for the Alia-affected families of ten unions in Amtali upazila, but it was returned as the UP chairmen did not receive it before the fiscal year ended on June 30 last, said Amtali Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Nasiruddowlah.
Chairman of ten unions under the upazila were served notice on Monday to show cause for not receiving and distributing the government sanctioned relief items, he said.
“A few Awami League leaders came to my office at about 11:00am and asked me about return of the undistributed relief items,” said Amtali upazila Chairman Salahuddin Ahmed Talukdar.
After they left, a group of AL cadres entered the office and ransacked furniture and documents there, he said.
Then the AL men went to the Sadar union parishad office and damaged three motorcycles, computer, fan, steel almirah, furniture, documents and other items at the office and looted Tk 5.2 lakh from the almirah, said UP Chairman Jalal Ahmed Fakir.
He said union parishad chairmen did not receive and distribute government sanctioned relief rice protesting AL men's unwanted interference in distribution work.
Amtali upazila AL President GM Delwar Hossain denied his party men's involvement with the attacks on the offices of upazila chairman and union parishad.
Distressed people, deprived of the relief, may have done it, he said.