Ukhiya, Jan 26 (V7N) — Allegations have surfaced in Ukhiya upazila’s Haldia Palong Union that the only access road used for nearly a century by a minority Hindu family has been blocked, and that efforts are underway to divert the incident by portraying it as a political clash.

According to local residents, the accused Union Parishad chairman and former Jubo League leader, Imrul Qayes Chowdhury, has allegedly attempted to conceal the core issue of land and access road encroachment by placing a political figure at the forefront of the incident.

The dispute erupted on Saturday morning, January 24, when construction of shops began near the Mosque Market area of Morichya Bazar under the initiative of the chairman. As construction progressed, the long-used access road was completely obstructed. When members of the minority Hindu family and local traders attempted to resist the construction, a scuffle broke out between them and those involved in the construction work.

At least three people were injured in the incident, including members of the minority family—Shilpi Karmakar, 48, and Swapna Karmakar, 20—as well as NCP leader Rafiq Uddin, 28. The injured were treated at the Ukhiya Upazila Health Complex.

Local residents alleged that NCP leader Rafiq Uddin was deliberately brought to the scene so the incident could be portrayed as a political confrontation, thereby diverting attention from the alleged blocking of the century-old access road used by the minority family.

Residents of Morichya Bazar and surrounding areas said the road has served as the only means of access for the minority Hindu family and local people for nearly 100 years. They warned that blocking the road would not only affect a single family but would also severely disrupt business activities throughout the market area.

Gias Uddin Chowdhury, vice-president of the Morichya Bazar Mosque Committee, said that since becoming chairman, Imrul Qayes Chowdhury has been making unilateral decisions. He claimed that the shop construction began without any permission from the mosque committee and that attempts are now being made to give the issue a political dimension.

Union Parishad member and Morichya Bazar Traders’ Association president Manjur Alam said the incident was not a political clash but a protest against the encroachment of a minority family’s access road. He alleged that placing an NCP leader at the forefront was a deliberate attempt to hide the real issue.

Following the incident, police from Ukhiya Police Station, members of the Bangladesh Army, and the officer-in-charge visited the scene. Locals, however, stressed that beyond maintaining order, an impartial investigation and swift administrative action are urgently needed to protect the century-old access road.

Later that night, protest marches were held by both sides in Ukhiya and Morichya Bazar.

Attempts to obtain comments from the accused Haldia Palong Union Parishad chairman, Imrul Qayes Chowdhury, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to phone calls.

Ukhiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Nur Ahmed said no formal complaint had been received in connection with the incident.

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