Section 144 Imposed Over Market Dispute

The local administration in Santhia Upazila of Pabna has imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure following tensions between activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami over the lease of a temporary cattle market ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

According to the order issued by the upazila administration, the restrictions came into effect at 11:00am on Thursday and will remain in force until midnight on the day before Eid-ul-Azha. The measure was taken to maintain law and order amid fears of possible clashes surrounding the leasing process.

Sources said the municipal authorities had initiated steps to lease an open area beside the embankment on the bank of the Ichamati River near Santhia Market as a temporary cattle market for the Eid season. With approval from the district administration, an auction was held at the Upazila Parishad hallroom on 19 May.

A total of 26 interested participants deposited Tk20,000 each as security money in order to take part in the auction process.

However, tension reportedly arose between participants aligned with the BNP and Jamaat over the bidding process. In response to the deteriorating situation, Municipal Administrator and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Asif Raihan suspended the auction proceedings.

The authorities later arranged a fresh auction at 9:00am on Thursday. Witnesses said arguments and heated exchanges again broke out between supporters of the two political groups during the proceedings. At one stage, BNP activists left the hallroom. Police from the local police station later intervened and brought the situation under control.

Both sides subsequently accused each other of provoking the unrest.

Mehedi Hasan, a member of the upazila working committee of Jamaat-e-Islami, alleged that the auction for the temporary cattle market had been halted “through collusion involving a section of the administration”.

On the other hand, Abdul Karim, president of the Santhia municipal unit of the BNP, said they had attended the auction following an invitation from the municipal authorities, but claimed that Jamaat activists created tension by using abusive language and threats.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Riju Tamanna said no individual or group had yet been awarded the lease for the cattle market. She added that Section 144 had been imposed due to concerns over possible conflict related to the market.

Under the restrictions, gatherings of more than five people, public meetings, processions, the use of loudspeakers, and the carrying of weapons in the area have been prohibited for the duration of the order.