BNP leader's son implicated over assault on policeman in Dinajpur

The son of a BNP grassroots leader allegedly assaulted a policeman during an argument over the leasing of a government-owned pond next to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer's (UNO) office in Dinajpur's Birampur on Monday.

The incident took place around 1:45pm while the UNO's office was receiving applications for the lease of a khas pond. Police personnel had been deployed to maintain security amid a large gathering of applicants and supporters.

According to the first information report (FIR), a group led by Rahaduzzaman Parag—son of upazila BNP Joint Secretary Ibrahim Ali, popularly known as Babu, and joint convener of Diur Union Swechchhasebak Dal—and Al Amin, joint convener of the municipal Chhatra Dal, along with five to six unidentified individuals, created disorder outside the UNO's office and allegedly obstructed the submission of lease applications.

Police alleged that the situation escalated after Constable Nurul Islam Sarkar began recording the disturbance on his personal mobile phone. The accused allegedly attempted to stop him from filming before forcing their way toward the UNO's chamber.

When police intervened, they were allegedly abused and physically pushed. During the altercation, Constable Sarkar was reportedly kicked and injured. The FIR further states that the group entered the UNO's chamber and, in the presence of the UNO, compelled police personnel to delete the recorded video from their mobile phones.

The injured constable later received first aid at the Birampur Upazila Health Complex.

Police filed a case shortly after midnight, naming Parag and Al Amin as accused, along with several unidentified individuals, on charges including assaulting police personnel and obstructing government officials from discharging their duties.

Investigating officer and Sub-Inspector Shamim Al Mamun of Birampur Police Station said drives were underway to arrest the accused.

Meanwhile, Sanowar Hossain, a joint convener of the upazila Jubo Dal, claimed he had tried to move the injured constable away from the scene when the attackers kicked from behind, with one blow also striking his leg. He added that video footage recorded by multiple people would help establish what had happened.

Contacted for comment, UNO Tanzina Khatun said she had heard about the alleged assault and later watched video footage of the incident. However, she said she did not personally witness the alleged attack and therefore could not directly confirm the circumstances.

Later in the afternoon, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, the UNO chaired a meeting at her office attended by senior leaders of the upazila and municipal BNP, including Upazila BNP President Mia Md Shafiqul Alam, General Secretary Manzur Elahi Chowdhury, Municipal BNP President Humayun Kabir and General Secretary Rezaul Karim. Assistant Commissioner (Land) Nazia Nowreen and Assistant Superintendent of Police (Birampur Circle) Harez Uddin were also present. More than 50 BNP activists remained outside the office during the meeting.

Police said the investigation was continuing.