Two government officials were allegedly assaulted at Balaasi Ghat in Fulchhari Upazila of Gaibandha on Monday morning while on their way to their respective workplaces.
The victims have been identified as Sub-Assistant Plant Protection Officer in Rajibpur Upazila of Kurigram Md Mobarak Hossain, 43, and driver for the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), Abul Kashem, 54. A written complaint naming three individuals has been lodged with Fulchhari Police Station following the incident.
According to the complaint, the incident occurred at approximately 9:30am when Mobarak Hossain arrived at Balaasi Ghat to return to work after attending a relative’s funeral. After he boarded a boat, several individuals pressured him to get off and hire a different vessel. An argument ensued, which subsequently escalated into a physical attack.
The complaint names Delowar Hossain Delo, Monir Hossain, and Azadul Mia as the attackers. Abul Kashem was also beaten when he tried to protect Mobarak. Mobarak reportedly sustained a knee injury after being pushed onto the ghat. The attackers fled the scene when local people intervened.
“I went to the ghat to return to work. After I boarded a boat, they told me to hire another one. When I asked why, they became angry and started beating me,” Mobarak said.
Locals alleged that boat operations and passenger transport at Balaasi Ghat have long been plagued by irregularities and the dominance of certain influential groups. Efforts to contact the three accused via their mobile phones were unsuccessful, and ghat officials declined to comment on the matter.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Fulchhari Police Station Mohammad Mazharul Islam confirmed that a written complaint has been received. He said that police have already visited the scene and that necessary legal action will be taken following a thorough investigation into the matter.
