Staff Reporter :
A tense situation is prevailing in Bhola after a religious group on Monday sought permission for holding a rally protesting the Sunday’s clash but it was denied as the local administration imposed a ban on rallies and meetings in the district.
Failing to get permission for holding the rally, Shorbodoliyo Muslim Oikya Parishad placed a six-point demand at a press conference at Bhola Press Club in the morning.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Masud Alam Siddique said that the ban was imposed on any meetings and rallies in the entire district for an indefinite period to avert further tension.
A tense situation is reportedly prevailing in the district after the clash between the locals and the cops, which left four people killed.
The demands placed by Shorbodoliyo Muslim Oikkya Parishad include withdraw the Superintendent of Police of Bhola and Officer-in-Charge of Borhanuddin Police Station, punish to those who directed to open fire on Tawhidi Muslims Janata, enact strict law for trying those who has sent hate post criticizing Allah, Prophet Muhammad (SM) and Islam, capital punishment of the Hindu youth what they claimed was responsible for the hate conversation against Prophet, provide compensation to the victims’ families who died in yesterday’s clash, bear the treatment expenses of the injured, unconditional release of those who were arrested yesterday in connection with the incident.
Mizanur Rahman, joint-member secretary of the platform, read out the statement while Bashir Uddin, convener of the platform announced their next course of action.
The group announced to hold a demonstration in front of all police stations of Bhola district today (Tuesday). They also set to hold a human chain at Bhola Sadar Road on Thursday and will organise a Dua Mahfil on Friday at Atkhola Mosque of Bhola.
They vowed to continue their protest until their demands are met.
Meanwhile, a case was filed against 4,000 to 5,000 unknown persons in connection with on Sunday’s clash Borhanuddin upazila of the district.
The case was filed with Borhanuddin Police Station by Sub-Inspector Azizur Rahman, said Officer-in-Charge of the police station Md Enamul Haque.
The police official filed the lawsuit on charge of barring police from discharging their duties, attack on law enforcers and creating disorder.
The district bus owners association also stopped intra-district operation from 6:00am citing security reasons, its Organising Secretary Shafiqul Islam said.
On the other hand, Hefazat-e-Islam has announced a protest programme for today (Tuesday) to press home their demands, including punishment of the police personnel “responsible for the death of four people” during the clash on Sunday.
The nationwide programme will be held after Zohr prayers today (Tuesday), Maulana Babu Nagari, Secretary General of Hefazat-e-Islam, said at a press conference on Al Jamiatul Ahliya Darul Ulum Moinul Islam Madrassa premises in Chattogram’s Hathazari area on Monday.
Their demand also include “punishment of the person who put the hate-post on Facebook and compensation for the families of those who were killed and injured during on Sunday’s clash”.
Babu Nagari in his speech said that Hefajat conducted an investigation regarding the “hate conversation” in question. The investigation found that it was done deliberately by the owner of the Facebook profile himself and no hacking took place, he claimed.
“We are forming a five-member probe body to conduct deeper investigation into the issue,” Babu Nagari added.
Babu Nagari also said that if the government would have accepted the original 13-point demand by the islamist group, such incident would not have occurred as one of the demands was death penalty for anybody criticising Islam and rasul.
“If the 13-point demand are accepted, Bangladesh will be turned into a heavenly place,” Babu Nagari said.
