UNO attacked, bodyguard injured for fining irregular fuel customers in Panchagarh

A group attacked an upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) and his bodyguard as the official was trying to bring order at a fuel customers’ queue at a filling station in Debiganj, Panchagarh on Saturday.

The mob also attempted to forcibly seize the firearm of the bodyguard, who was later sent to the Upazila Health Complex for treatment.

Police suspended fuel distribution at the concerned Jannatul Mawa Filling Station, Bhaulaganj Union in the upazila following the attack, said Debiganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Selim Mallick.

Legal action will be taken against the perpetrators for obstructing government duties, the officer told reporters.

UNO Sabuj Kumar Basak alleged that about a hundred people attacked his team all of a sudden around 1pm, after he fined two vehicle drivers Tk500 each for not having the required fuel card.

Moments earlier, Sabuj Kumar had instructed those without the fuel card and other documents to leave the line, but still these two vehicle drivers did not move, the UNO alleged.

As the situation appeared out of control, Sabuj Kumar fled the scene with support from locals, and took shelter at the house of one named Mamunul Islam, he said.

Later, a team of police rescued him and brought him to the upazila parishad’s office.

Earlier at noon, the filling station authorities had called UNO Sabuj Kumar Basak, seeking support in managing customers, who did not have adequate documents, and risked limiting supplies for valid customers. The irregular vehicle drivers were also causing chaos, threatening the overall security situation, filling station sources said.