A case has been filed against former lawmaker and Awami Jubo League presidium member Mujibur Rahman, widely known as Nixon Chowdhury, as the prime accused over an attack and vandalism at Bhanga Police Station in Faridpur.
The case was lodged on Tuesday by Sub-Inspector Azaduzzaman of Bhanga Police Station.
According to police, 29 people have been named in the case while several unidentified individuals have also been accused.
The second accused is Khokon Mia, chairman of Hamirdi Union Parishad. Faridpur Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration & Finance) Shamsul Azam confirmed the filing of the case on Wednesday afternoon.
Police estimate that the attack and vandalism caused damage worth at least Tk 40 lakh. Earlier, under the Speedy Trial Act, another case led to the arrest of the chairman of Algi Union.
The unrest stems from the Election Commission’s September 4 gazette notification, which shifted Algi and Hamirdi unions from Faridpur-4 constituency to Faridpur-2 (Nagarkanda-Saltha). Protesting the decision, locals blockaded the Dhaka–Khulna and Dhaka–Barishal highways on September 5, later suspending the protests temporarily after assurances from the local administration. However, demonstrations resumed between September 9–11 and September 14–16, with railway lines also blocked on Sunday, disrupting three trains at Bhanga Hamirdi, Bhanga Junction and Rajbari stations.
On Sunday, the Home Affairs Adviser announced a crackdown on the protests. That same day, a Speedy Trial Act case was filed naming 90 people, including the chairmen of Algi and Hamirdi unions; Algi Union Chairman M. M. Siddique was subsequently arrested.
On Monday, during the second day of protests, Bhanga Police Station, the Upazila Complex, Bhanga Highway Police Station, and several government offices came under attack, vandalism, and arson.
Protesters said the demonstrations were intended to be peaceful but locals were angered by what they see as unfair cases filed under the Speedy Trial Act, sparking the violent turn of events.
Preparations are underway to file a separate case over the violence at the Bhanga Upazila Complex, Faridpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Kamrul Hasan Molla told media.
