Pabna, Mar 07 (V7N) - A former BNP leader has been accused of embezzling two metric tons of rice allocated for a mosque in Chatmohar, Pabna. When locals protested, five people, including women and children, were injured in an attack. Three of them, who sustained serious injuries, have been admitted to Chatmohar Upazila Health Complex.

The attack took place around 11 AM on Friday (March 7) in the Kadamtali Minaj intersection area of Failjana Union.

The injured receiving treatment at the hospital are: Salma Khatun (35) – wife of Joynal Abedin, Sohel (11) – their child, Alpana Khatun (32) – wife of Alauddin Ali. The main accused in the case is Saiful Islam, former Joint General Secretary of Failjana Union BNP.

Injured Salma Khatun stated, "Two tons of rice were allocated by the government for Minaj Mor Jame Mosque. BNP leader Saiful Islam and Matin Gong embezzled the money by selling that rice. When my husband and others protested, they attacked us at our home and beat us mercilessly."

Local resident Lokman Hossain (60) confirmed that government officers visited the area on March 5 to inquire whether the mosque had received the rice allocation. The villagers were unaware of it, but later investigations revealed that Saiful Islam, Monirul Islam, and mosque committee cashier Abdul Matin had collected and sold the rice, pocketing the money.

On March 6, the villagers filed a formal complaint with the UNO office. In response, mosque cashier Matin admitted in front of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) that they had received the rice and sold it for 70,000 taka, promising to deposit the money in the mosque fund.

Enraged by the complaint, a group led by Saiful Islam, Monirul Islam, Matin, Sadiqul, Shamim, Jahangir, and 15-20 others attacked the complainants' homes the next day. Five people, including women and children, were injured, and houses were vandalized.

Accused BNP leader Saiful Islam denied involvement, saying, "I know nothing about the rice embezzlement. The mosque cashier admitted selling it and said he would deposit the money. There was a past dispute over this money, which may have led to today's fight. But I was not involved, and false allegations are being made against me."

Chatmohar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Musa Naser Chowdhury stated, "The villagers filed a complaint on Thursday, and the mosque cashier admitted selling the rice, promising to return the money. However, today's attack is a criminal offense, and legal action will be taken."

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