Clash over Disappearance of Ilias
40 opposition men acquitted in 2 cases
A Habiganj court yesterday acquitted 40 opposition activists, including the district Doctors' Association of Bangladesh (Dab) president, Jubo Dal president and Jatiya Chhatra Dal (JCD) joint convener, accused in two cases under the Speedy Trial Act.
The cases were among five filed on April 18 after BNP and its front organisation activists vandalised government offices and buildings while clashing with police over the disappearance of M Ilias Ali, BNP organising secretary (Sylhet division).
The first case accused the Dab president, Ahmedur Rahman Abdal; Jubo Dal president, Azizur Rahman Kajol; JCD joint convener, Mohsin Sikder; and 19 others of vandalising the district education office.
Education Engineering Directorate Assistant Engineer Pradip Kumar Saha filed the second case accusing Azizur and 23 others of vandalising his office.
Police on April 30 submitted the charge sheet of the two cases, filed under the Law and Order Disruption Offence (Speedy Trial) Act.
A total of 34 accused, including the district JCD Convener Tajul Islam Chowdhury and Joint Secretary Syed Mushfique Ahmed, Azizur and Habiganj Pourasava Councillor Abdul Awal Majnu, were acquitted on August 8 in the third case.
The prosecution failed to prove the involvement of the accused in the vandalism on the district Shilpakala Academy building through adequate evidence in the case, filed by a staff of the academy.
On April 18, the opposition activists brought out a procession in the district town over their demand to find Ilias.
Police charged baton on them, leading to sporadic clashes and prompting some agitators to pelt bricks on the district Shilpakala Academy building, the district auditorium and other buildings nearby.
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