Chairman tapan ‘announcement of suitable award’

In the case of two brothers being beaten to death in Madhukhali Panchapalli of Faridpur, Dumain Union Chairman Shah Md. The district administration said that ‘enough evidence has been found’ of the involvement of Asaduzzaman Tapan and member Ajit Biswas.

A suitable reward has also been announced for helping to arrest them. Besides these two people have been advised to surrender and take legal protection.

But what is meant by appropriate reward is not stated.

Faridpur DC Kamrul Ahsan Talukder announced this in a press conference on the overall issue on Friday evening. He said that they have extended the time to report to the committee formed to investigate the incident.

DC said, “Chairman Asaduzzaman Tapan is a criminal by nature. He knows well where and how to hide.

“He left behind the mobile phone before going into hiding. Earlier we identified his position in Magura. But when a raid was launched to capture him, Jessore escaped. After that an operation was launched to catch him in Jessore too but he was not found.”

The local Upazila Nirbahi officer also said that Tapan was dismissed twice due to the attack on him and the corruption of the TCB card. In the press conference, it was said, “Both times he appealed to the high court and got his position back. Due to this, a kind of reckless attitude has developed in him. He thought that no matter what crime he committed, he would get away with it.”

On the evening of April 18, a fire broke out in a Kali temple in Panchpalli village of Dumain Union in Madhukhali upazila, and the construction workers stationed at a nearby primary school were attacked. Construction of school toilet was going on. That’s why the workers were there.

Two workers lost their lives in the beating. They are 21-year-old Ashraful and his brother 15-year-old Ashadul of Ghoperghat village of Nawapara union of the upazila. Five more workers injured in the incident are undergoing treatment.

A video footage of workers being beaten to death has gone viral.

The district administration formed a committee to investigate the incident amid intense anger in the area. BGB was also deployed in the area. On April 20, Religion Minister Faridul Haque Khan visited the houses of the two deceased brothers and promised to take action.

While drawing attention to the fact that Chairman Tapan met him during the religion minister’s visit too, DC Kamrul said, “He was not kept in the suspicion list because of his dual role. But after the video footage came out, he went into hiding.”

Seeking help in arresting the accused, he said, “We want everyone’s help to hand them over.” If anyone can inform the whereabouts of the other accused, they will be given a suitable reward.”

Appreciation of responsible role of media

The DC also appreciated the role of the media in the Panchapally incident. He said, “Journalists have not made any news that communal harmony may be destroyed. Hon’ble Prime Minister also praised the journalists of Faridpur for their behavior.

“He stayed with us at the scene that night after the incident. Since they were present at every place and presented the whole matter appropriately, no one got the chance to spread the poisonous vapors that was about to spread around the incident.

“So far you have behaved responsibly. It has saved the dignity of the entire Faridpur. We call for the rest of the days to continue this coexistence in Faridpur”, he said.

A press conference was also requested to give information if someone decided to create an unstable situation based on this incident.

Stating that some quarters are trying to characterize the incident as communal, the DC said, “They are presenting it as the killing of Muslim laborers by Hindus. This is not correct. Many are helping in various ways by making videos to garner sympathy and by spreading them there is a fear that things will turn out differently.”

Addressing the religious groups, the DC said, “We also demand a fair investigation and trial. When a movement is called, various types of people enter it. Even during the siege, there was an attempt to divert the movement to a different sector.

Support to the family

Apart from cash financial support from the Minister of Religion and Minister of Fisheries and Livestock to the families of the victims, information about the support from the district administration was also presented in the press conference.

The DC said, “In this incident, initiatives are being taken to provide food and employment for the treatment of the injured and their families for livelihood. Therefore, we ask for everyone’s cooperation so that no group can carry out malicious attempts to achieve special objectives regarding this incident.”

Seven more days for district administration investigation

Additional District Magistrate (Nezarat) after the incident. A three-member committee was formed headed by Ali Siddiqui. They could not investigate and report on time.

“That’s why they asked for time. In view of their written application, the tenure of the inquiry committee has been extended for another seven days”, said the DC.

Stating that there is no reason to fear the innocent people in this incident, he said that sufficient police will be deployed in Madhukhali until the accused are arrested and the investigation report is submitted.

Additional District Magistrate (Nazarat) Mohammad Ali Siddiqui, Additional District Commissioner (General) Yasin Kabir, Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tamanna Tasnim, Faridpur Press Club President Kabirul Islam Siddiqui were also present at the press conference.

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