AL MP assaults party leader

Over formation of the governing body of a college, a ruling party lawmaker from Jhenidah allegedly assaulted a party leader on Monday.

Azad Iqbal Shipon Mridha, organising secretary of the proposed Kaliganj upazila AL Unit, wrote to Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and district AL president Abdul Hyee seeking proper investigation and justice in the matter.

This newspaper has obtained a copy of the letter.

In his letter, Shipon said that he has been discharging his duties as the president of the governing body of Barobazar Degree College for the last six years.

But MP Anwarul Azim “handed over” the governing body's post of president to one Rabiul Islam, a BNP supporter, on May 30 through a DO (demi-official) letter, he wrote.

Following a writ petition he filed, the High Court stayed the previous order and on Monday he went to Kaliganj UNO office to discuss the matter.

After his meeting with the UNO, when he went to Upazila Education Office to discuss the subject further, MP Azim appeared.

“Suddenly, the MP became agitated saying 'how dare you speak against me' and started to severely physically torture me,” he wrote.

“I have sought justice from my party and I will accept whatever decision the party takes,” Shipon told The Daily Star over phone.

Contacted, Azim, a lawmaker from Jhenidah-4, said a man must have at least a BA degree to become the chairman of the governing body of any Degree College but Shipon does not have that degree.

“He became the governing body's president with a forged BA certificate. After knowing this, I spoke to the authorities of the National University and gave a DO letter to make Rabiul Islam the president,” Azim said.

On Monday, Azim said, when Rabiul went to the UNO office to discuss about some issues regarding the college, Shipon threatened to kill him.

After knowing the matter from Rabiul, he went there, the MP said.

“Yes, I slapped him and then he [Shipon] admitted to threatening Rabiul,” Azim said.

Asked about the HC stay order, the MP said he was not aware of it. “He [Shipon] might have done this with fake documents,” he added.

“What sort of disciplining is this?  How can assaulting someone this way be regarded as disciplining?” asked Shipon.

Asked about the allegations of fake certificate and threatening Rabiul, Shipon said they were all fabricated.

Contacted, Abdul Hyee, district AL president, said he heard of the incident, but didn't get any written complaint yet.

“Once I get the complaint, I will take measures after proper investigation,” he said.

Hyee, also AL lawmaker of Jhenidah-1 constituency, said “Assaulting someone can't be any solution whatever offence he might have committed. Physically assaulting someone can't be considered gentlemanly.”