A unique and sensational incident in Bishwanath Upazila, Sylhet, has stirred up the political arena. In a sabotage case filed against Awami League leaders and activists, the plaintiff BNP leader has included not only members and supporters of his own party but also several leaders and activists of Jamaat-Shibir as defendants. This incident has generated intense discussion and criticism at the local level, while also creating deep mystery and confusion within political circles. The case was filed on August 21 (Friday) at Bishwanath Police Station and is currently under investigation, raising questions about its true motive.
Mohammad Iron Mia, Vice-President of Alankari Union BNP in Bishwanath Upazila and son of the late Abdul Ali of Saban Tengra village, filed this case naming 92 individuals and an additional 60-70 unidentified persons as defendants. The First Information Report (FIR) includes the names of several top Awami League leaders, including Shah Asaduzzaman (Acting President of Bishwanath Upazila Awami League), Faruk Ahmed (General Secretary), Kabir Ahmed Kubbar (former Vice-President), Makaddus Ali (Joint Secretary), and Jalal Uddin (Convener of Municipal Awami League). Surprisingly, however, the list of defendants also includes BNP's union-level activists and several leaders from Jamaat-Shibir, which has raised serious questions about the credibility of the case.
The FIR alleges that on the evening of August 16, the defendants set fire to tires on the Bishwanath-Lamakazi paved road in Ramapasha Union, obstructing traffic and chanting anti-state slogans. Furthermore, it accuses them of arson, vandalism, and damage to important government offices, as well as creating an unstable situation in the area. The involvement of their own party's workers in such serious allegations has caused widespread discomfort within the local BNP and, observers believe, indicates internal party feuds or some deeper conspiracy.
Ekhlas Mia, Publicity Secretary of Ward No. 6 BNP in Alankari Union, whose name is on the list of defendants, expressed extreme surprise upon hearing about his inclusion in the case. He stated that he has an ongoing land dispute with his neighbor and heard through word-of-mouth that he was implicated in the case by being added to the list of Awami League activists. He later confirmed the truth of this information. Ekhlas Mia further added that several other BNP workers, besides himself, have also been named as defendants in this case. He has discussed the matter with responsible BNP officials and local public representatives, who have assured him of a solution. He even spoke with the plaintiff of the case, who claimed not to know how his name ended up on the list of accused.
Not only BNP workers, but several members of Jamaat-Shibir have also been named as defendants in this case. Defendant No. 88, Rony Mia, is identified as the President of Ward No. 4 Chhatra Shibir in Khajanchi Union, and Defendant No. 86, Renu Mia, son of the late Abdul Qadir from Amtoil village in Ramapasha Union, is identified as an active Jamaat worker. Nizam Uddin Siddiqui, Ameer of Bishwanath Upazila Jamaat, reacted strongly to this matter. He stated that Jamaat worker Renu Mia and Chhatra Shibir President Rony Mia were deliberately implicated in this case and have no involvement in the incident. He termed the allegations completely baseless and politically motivated, which has further deepened the mystery surrounding the case.
Regarding this sensational case, Bishwanath Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Gazi Md. Mahbubur Rahman stated that Iron Mia filed a case on the night of August 19 (Wednesday), and the case is currently under investigation. However, the plaintiff, Md. Iron Mia, himself expressed his ignorance about the case. He said, "I don't know anything about this. To know more, you have to speak with the Upazila BNP President and General Secretary. I signed as a party member." The plaintiff's statement has raised serious questions about the transparency of the case and its underlying motives. Intense speculation is ongoing as to whether it was filed due to political pressure, internal feuds, or some other dishonest intention.
Lilu Mia, General Secretary of Bishwanath Upazila BNP, also refrained from making any direct comments on the matter. He said, "Speak to the plaintiff of the case about this. He can tell you." In such a situation, the conflicting statements from the plaintiff, leaders of the concerned political parties, and the defendants have further complicated the situation. The plaintiff's ignorance regarding a serious matter like a sabotage case and the filing of charges against his own party's workers have created an unprecedented situation in the local political arena. It is hoped that the investigation into this case will uncover the truth and reveal the mystery behind it. This incident has also sparked new debates regarding BNP's internal discipline and political strategy.
