Khagrachhari BNP faces split
Most party leaders reject new convening committee led by Belayet
Intra-party feud in Khagrachhari BNP has intensified following recent formation of a 11-member district convening committee. Most of the dedicated leaders including former lawmaker Wadud Bhuiyan are not in the 'so called' committee headed by Belayet Hossen Bhuiyan, party sources said. Already dogged by internal feud, Khagrachhari BNP now faces a split as the new committee led by a 'corrupt' man is not acceptable to most party men, they claimed. Belayet Hossen Bhuiyan, president of Ramghor upazila BNP, is the elder brother of Wadud Bhuiyan. The new committee was formed at a meeting held on September 5 at the residence of Khagrachhari Hill District Council (KHDC) Chairman Monindra Lal Tripura. Belayet Bhuiyan, who faces 18 corruption cases, was released on bail on August 10. Talking to this correspondent, District BNP Cultural Affairs Secretary Belayet Hossen Majumder said, “He (Belayet Bhuiyan) is trying to divide the party as part of his notorious game. “He wanted to be district BNP secretary by depriving his younger brother Wadud Bhuiyan but none of the party men want this”, he said. District Jubo Dal Secreatry Saidul Islam Babul said, “We are not bound to listen to him (Belayet Bhuiyan). Wadud is our leader and we are waiting for him. We will be united under Wadud's leadership”, he said. Freedom Fighter and BNP leader Abu Yusuf Chowdhury alleged that Belayet Bhuiyan amassed Tk 15 crore property during four-party alliance rule. “Such a corrupt man can not lead a party. We had declared him unwanted in the district”, Abu Yusuf said. Mohalchhari Upazila BNP President Abul Kalam Azad said Belayet Bhuiyan was the gang leader of a cadre group locally known as G-8. The gang was used for corruption, tender manipulation, filing false cases, killing and land grabbing. They were involved in misappropriation of government fund and all sorts of anti-social activities. “We declared him unwanted (in the district), Azad said. Dighinala upazila BNP secretary Rafiqul Islam alleged that most of the members of the new convening committee face corruption cases and they are not BNP leaders. “We will not accept any committee without Wadud”, he said. Branding Belayet Bhuiyan as a land grabber, Panchhari Upazila BNP secretary Belal Hossen said none of the party men will listen to land grabber Belayet. They can not make such a committee without approval of central leaders, Belal said. Another Upazila BNP president seeking anonymity said Belayet and his men tortured health assistant Zarna Rani Das on August 6, 2002. Like her, Rebeka Khatun of Taisala, Zuhura Begum of Masterpara, Ayesa Begum of Ramgour Bazar, Fulu Rani Majumder and Hazera Khatun of Jagannath Para and Nasima Akter of Lake were tortured by Belayet and his men. Many leaders of BNP and Awami League had tpo leave Ramgarh because of Belayet Bhuiyan and his cadres. Belayet was also behind the murder of Jubo Leauge leader Faruq and Yeasin, said Ramgour Upazila Awami Leauge president Kazi Ruhul Amin. The new convening committee includes president of Hindu, Buddha, Christian Kalayan Front Prabin Chandra Chakma and former leaders of Samo Adhikar Andolon Mostafizur Rahman Millat as joint conveners. District BNP press secretary Mohammad Nazrul Islam, Khagrachhari Municiplaity Chairman Joynal Abedin, Sadar Upazila BNP vice- president Animesh Dewan, Jubo Dal president Abdus Salam, organising secretary Sanu Mong Marma, Tripura Jubo Kallayan Aikka Parishad president Khani Ranjan Tripura, BNP leader Khachak Tripura and Bangladesh Marma Sanghatan Oikkyas Parishad secretary Babusshi Chowdhury are members of committee. When asked, Belayet Hossen Bhuiyan said the committee has been formed to reactive the party in the district. “Wadud is in jail now. He will run the party when freed”, Belayet Bhuiyan said. Asked about corruption charges, he said court will decide whether I am corrupt or not. He however claimed that he is doing everything according suggestion of Wadud. Belayet Bhuiyan was arrested on February 15 last year along with his seven cadres.
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