JaPa chair, gen secy among 280 sued over Barishal clash with Gono Odhikar

A case has been filed against 280 individuals, including Jatiyo Party Chairman GM Quader and General Secretary Mujibul Haque Chunnu, in connection with a recent clash between leaders and activists of JaPa and the Gono Odhikar Parishad in Barishal.

Shafiqul Islam Sagar, senior vice president of the Gono Odhikar Parishad's Barishal city unit, lodged the case with Kotwali Model police station on Saturday. 

The case names 30 individuals and accuses another 250 unnamed persons.

Confirming the matter, Kotwali Model police station OC Mizanur Rahman said, "The complaint has been accepted as a case. We will take steps to arrest the accused."

As per the case statement, 20–25 members of Gono Odhikar Parishad were injured as they were attacked by JaPa supporters armed with machetes, rods, pistols, and bricks during a procession in Fakir Bari Road of Barishal, allegedly chanting provocative slogans against the interim government and Gono Odhikar leaders on Saturday afternoon.

"The Jatiya Party, a collaborator of the Awami League, attacked our unarmed activists," said complainant Shafiqul Islam Sagar.

Barishal city JaPa Convenor Mahsinul Islam Habul alleged that around 8:30pm that day, Gono Odhikar activists attacked and vandalised their office.

Meanwhile, JaPa's Lalmonirhat district office was reduced to ashes after a group of 15-20 unidentified miscreants set it on fire around 11 on Saturday night, reports UNB.

The arsonists reportedly looted valuables from the premises before setting it ablaze.

Local residents, concerned that the fire might spread to adjacent shops, rushed to the scene and managed to bring the flames under control.

Lalmonirhat municipal JaPa General Secretary Alamgir Hossain said the office had already been engulfed in flames by the time party members arrived at the scene.

Lalmonirhat sadar police station OC Nur Nabi said on information police responded promptly and have launched an investigation to trace the attackers.