In Bauphal of Patuakhali, there have been allegations of harassment of local journalists involved in the case of political violence. According to police and information sources, Bauphal Upazila Parishad Chairman and Upazila Awami League General Secretary Abdul Motaleb Hawladar was cut and injured on the order of Assam Feroz MP in the presence of the general secretary of Baga Union Jubo League on April 2, 2023 at around 11:30 pm. Didarul Islam filed the case as plaintiff. In the case, Upazila Jubo League general secretary and Kalaia Union Parishad (UP) chairman SM Faisal Ahmed Monir Mollah is the first accused in the case and Chandradeep Union Parishad chairman Enamul Haque Alkas Mollah is the second accused. Both of them are nephews of MP Asam Feroze. A total of 16 people have been named in the case and 25-30 unknown people have been accused. All the accused are followers of local parliament member and upazila Awami League president AS Feroze. It is mentioned in the statement of the case that on the occasion of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s birthday Ujjapan, 10-12 thousand leaders and activists led by Abdul Motaleb Howlader from Bauphal Government Model Secondary School ground were going towards the upazila Awami League office (Janta Bhavan) with a joyous rally. When they reached the eastern side of the upazila parishad gate around 11:30 AM, the followers of ASM Feroaze attacked with iron rods and sharp weapons. In the attack, the third finger of Abdul Motaleb Hawladar’s right hand was cut off and hung by the skin. He was injured on the right side of his chest and above his right elbow. The right leg was broken and the head was injured.
A case was filed in the Patuakhali court on 17-4-2023 by Abul Hosan, a follower of Assam Feroze MP, whose case No. CR 290 / 2023, at the time of the incident, was filed against 35 people including Motaleb Howladar’s followers and journalists as defendants in the case of political violence. Daily Present Taims and Daily Desh Barta Staff Reporter Firoz Alam, Daily Ekusher Banir District Correspondent – Press Club Bauphal Organizing Secretary Lincoln Mahmud were responsible for news gathering. The followers of Asam Feroz MP have been involved in the case of the said journalists for the purpose of killing Motaleb Howladar and the video of cutting and wounding him in the presence of Asam Feroz MP. In this regard, Bauphal police station officer in-charge (oc) Arisul Haque said that the statement of the plaintiff Abul Hossain has been registered in Bauphal police station on 1-5-2023.
