One day after its inauguration, police have ordered the closure of the Hazrat Shah Soleman “Lengtar Urus and Mela” in Matlab Uttar Upazila, Chandpur, citing a lack of permission.
Assistant Superintendent of Police for Matlab Circle, Jabir Hussain Sanib, said on Wednesday night, “Since there is no permission for the fair, orders have been given to stop activities immediately. Announcements are being made in the area through loudspeakers.”
The 107th “Lengtar Urus and Mela” was inaugurated on Tuesday in the Beltali area of Sadullapur Union in the upazila.
Earlier on Sunday, Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam submitted a memorandum to the district administration seeking steps to stop alleged drug consumption and immoral activities at the fair.
Police said a clash broke out between two groups over drugs on the day of the fair’s inauguration. The chief caretaker of the shrine, Matiur Rahman Lal Mia, was injured in the incident. Later, police and other law enforcement agencies arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control.
Lal Mia told journalists that he was attacked after forbidding a group of unruly people from consuming drugs.
Meanwhile, announcements are being made via loudspeaker in the shrine area, asking devotees who have come from distant places to gradually leave the fair.
When members of the media contacted on Wednesday night about the fair’s closure, Lal Mia suggested speaking with the administration about the matter and then hung up the phone.
