Staff Reporter :
Villagers destroyed an akhra owned by Pir Bagu Dewan, set his house on fire, cut down trees and ransacked valuables at village Govipur in Meherpur district in presence of police on Tuesday.
After Fazr prayers at the village mosque, the devotees over loud speaker asked the villagers to take part in evicting what they said ‘fake pir’s drug den’. Otherwise, they will be fined Tk 150 each, according to locals.
As soon as the news spread, over 1000 villagers with lethal weapons and stick started gathering in akhra area. Later, they started destroying pir’s prayers room and kitchen room.
At one stage the agitated villagers set fire to the Pir Bagu Dewan’s house. During the time, the villagers also cut down about 100 different fruit trees cultivated on 10 bighas of land.
Being informed, a contingent of police from Meherpur Sadar Police Station rushed to the spot but in the face of agitated people they failed to bring the situation under control.
When contacted Superintendent of Police of Meherpur district Mohammad Hamidul Alam said that the so called Pir Bagu Dewan along with his disciples have turned the area into a safe and secured drug den.
“Many people, especially young men, from different neighbouring villages and even from the Meherpur district town continued to visit the akhra for taking drugs,” he said.
He added Pir Bagu Dewan along with his disciples, occupying the disputed lands, also made the area a safe haven for criminals.
Talking to journalists, Pir Bagu Dewan alleged that a section of local influential people battered his habitat in a bid to grab the land.
“The criminals have destroyed everything in presence of police. In a planned way they have done everything only to take control over the land. I want justice,” he said.
Shahjamal, a villager, said in the name of akhra, the pir use to throw drug party there round the clock.
“As a result, our village’s youths are being addicted gradually. So, we have destroyed the akhra only to protect our young men from drug addiction,” he said.
