Planned self-immolation by Bangalees' leader foiled

Abul Hasan Bulu on Sunday had declared the self-immolation protesting the local authorities' decision to allot houses only to Beharis.

On Wednesday, the Bangalees held a big rally near the project. It was addressed by Bulu and others.

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At the fag end of the rally, Bulu brought out a bottle of petrol and a match box from his pocket. As he was about to pour the petrol on his body there were shouts from the audience urging him no to do so and some youths jumped on the dais and snatched the bottle and the match box.

Earlier on Tuesday, Nilphamari Police Superintendent told this correspondent that attempt to commit suicide is also a punishable offense.

On Wednesday, contingents of police were deployed in the project area as tension mounted centring the self-immolation programme.

Army men who were supervising the project construction work were also seen standing near the venue of the rally.

The Prime Minister is likely to inaugurate the project on March 14, official sources said.

Bangalees are agitating as the local authorities declared that the 1000 houses in the project will be allotted only to Biharis in violation of the government's earlier announcement through a gazette notification.