Babu Lal's Killers Yet to be Nabbed

SP assures of law and order in Uzirpur, Gournadi

Our Correspondent, Barisal
Amid deterioration of law and order marked by killings in outlaw infested Uzirpur, Babuganj and Gournadi upazilas, the local administrations held two public meetings on Wednesday, seeking peoples' cooperation to improve the situation.

Three political murders were committed in the upazilas in three months. In the latest incident on July 16, popular Workers Party leader Babulal Shil was murder at his residence at Uzirpur upazila headquarter.

Local people observed a day-long hartal and brought out processions protesting the murder, allegedly by outlaws. Babulal was murdered as the tried to organise people against the outlaws, local political circles said.

None could be arrested in connection with Babulal's murder till filing of the report on Thursday.

Two other local political leaders and Union Parishad chairmen-- Dr Hiralal and Aboni Bhushan Baroi-- were shot dead allegedly by outlaws, called Sarbaharas.

At Uzirpur, a large number of people including members of the local elite attended the meeting, held at Bandar.

It was presided over by Uzirpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Azam Khan and addressed by, among others, Barisal Police Superintendent Mainur Rahman Chowdhury, ASP Farhad Hossain, Uzirpur thana officer-in-charge Humaun Kabir, Uzirpur Bazaar Committee Secretary Mazed Mannan, freedom fighter Advocate Amir Hossain, Nur Muhammad Holawader and Syed Hossain.

The speakers emphasised cooperation between administration and the people to prevent terrorism, killing and crime.

Some of the speakers alleged that corruption by a section of policemen and political interference is the main obstacles to improvement in law and order.

The police officials assured of taking all necessary steps to ensure security of people's life and property.

It was announced at the meeting that police will patrol Uzirpur upazila Sadar and Bandar areas.

In the other meeting held at Agorpur School filed in Babuganj on the same day, police and administrative officials exchanged views with local people on the law and order situation.

With Agorpur College principal Jalal Ahmed in the chair, it was addressed by, among others, SP Mainur Rahman Chowdhury, ASP Sirajul Islam, Babuganj and Gournadi thana OCs Md Salehin and Fasiar Rahman reaspectively, Agorpur School headmaster Muzaffar Howlader, Alim Sarder and Mohlesur Rahman.

Members of the local elite told the meeting that such meetings were earlier also but produced noting due to lack of sincerity by politicians and the administration.

Outlaws were created and are being used by politicians for their vested interest and they are being patronised by a section of law enforcers, they said.

The meeting decided to prepare a list of outlaws, criminals and collectors in the area for their arrest soon.

The SP and the ASP told the meeting that action will taken if any policeman is found negligent to duty.