A Jubodal leader named Fazlul Amin has died after being beaten, in what his family alleges was a killing stemming from a dispute over placing street-vendor carts and collecting extortion money on a road in Chattogram city’s Chandgaon area.
The incident occurred around 11 a.m. Friday, August 28, in the Omar Ali Matabbar Bari area under Chandgaon police station.
Relatives allege that Fazlul Amin got into a dispute with Shahjahan, known as a fellow party member, and Shahjahan’s son Sifat, after protesting the collection of extortion money from vendors placing carts. At one point, he was pushed and punched, after which he fell ill. He died on the way to Chattogram Medical College Hospital.
The deceased, Fazlul Amin, was joint convener of Jubodal’s Ward 6 (East Sholoshahar) unit. The accused, Shahjahan, is reportedly a follower of a Chattogram city BNP member and is said to be involved in farmers’ wing politics.
The victim’s family has filed a case at Chandgaon police station against the accused, Md Shahjahan, 45, and his son Sifat, 20.
According to local sources, there had long been a dispute in the area over placing street-vendor carts. Local residents had agreed at a meeting that carts should not be placed at a certain spot, but when carts were placed there again on Friday, Fazlul Amin objected. This led to an argument with Shahjahan. The carts had reportedly been removed the day before the incident, but were placed there again later. There are also allegations that an influential local leader had ordered the carts placed there.
A young man who witnessed the incident said: “He told them not to put the carts on the walkway. During the argument, he was punched and fell to the ground. We sent him to the hospital. There wasn’t much of a fight, but the punch left him in poor condition. Later we learned he died on the way to the hospital.”
Jainal Abedin of Jubodal’s Ward 6 (East Sholoshahar) unit said: “I heard that Fazl Amin had asked Shahjahan about the extortion money being collected from the street vendors. Poor people running mobile stalls to earn a living — after he asked why money was being taken from them, an argument broke out between them. We later learned that Shahjahan pushed and punched Fazl Amin. He died on the way to Chattogram Medical. We want a proper investigation and trial in this case.”
The victim’s son said: “My father worked his whole life for the people of this area. We want a proper investigation into his death, and for those responsible to be brought to justice.” He also called for party action against certain individuals who have taken on new leadership roles in the area since the August 2024 change of government.
Chandgaon police station officer-in-charge Jashim Uddin said: “The case has been recorded under Section 302 of the Penal Code. Five to seven unnamed people have also been named as accused in the case. We are investigating who was involved in the incident and the actual cause of the dispute.”
Meanwhile, when Fazlul Amin’s body was brought back to the area, a wave of grief spread among relatives and local residents. Anger has spread over his death at the hands of a fellow party member. Relatives and local residents have demanded a proper investigation and exemplary punishment for those responsible.