A Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leader in Kurigram’s Rajibpur has been issued a show-cause notice following an allegation that he attempted to steal cattle from a village cowshed.
Mofizul Haque, senior vice-president of the Mohanganj Union unit of Chhatra Dal, has been asked to explain the allegation of breaching party discipline. The Rajibpur upazila committee has also formed a four-member investigation panel to establish the facts surrounding the incident.
The decisions were communicated in separate letters signed on Wednesday (7 October) by Rajibpur Upazila Chhatra Dal convener Mokhlesur Rahman and member secretary Nazmul Mahmud.
According to the show-cause notice, Mofizul has been given 48 hours to submit a written explanation. He has been instructed to provide his response at the Rajibpur Upazila BNP office in the presence of the organisation’s convener and member secretary.
The investigation committee is headed by Shamim Ahmed, joint convener of the upazila Chhatra Dal. Its role is to examine the allegations and assess the circumstances surrounding the reported incident before any organisational decision is taken.
According to local sources and the written complaint, the incident allegedly took place at around 2am on Sunday (4 October) in the Votangpara area of Mohanganj Union. Mofizul and several others allegedly entered the cowshed belonging to local resident Omar Ali.
Omar Ali reportedly noticed the intrusion and came outside, where he allegedly caught Mofizul. The accused later managed to leave the area, according to the complaint. The following morning, Omar Ali was allegedly subjected to verbal abuse and threats at a local market.
Following the incident, Omar Ali’s son, Dulal Hossain, 38, submitted a written complaint to Dushmara Police Station against Mofizul and three others.
The complaint also contains allegations concerning Mofizul’s alleged involvement with drugs and online gambling. It claims that the attempted cattle theft was intended to raise money for those activities. The complainant further alleged that after his father intervened, he was subjected to physical abuse and subsequently threatened with murder.
These allegations have not been independently established. Mofizul Haque’s statement could not be obtained regarding the accusations, and the investigation committee is expected to examine the claims before the organisation reaches a final decision.
The matter has drawn attention within the local student wing because the allegation concerns a party office-bearer and potentially constitutes a breach of organisational discipline.
District Chhatra Dal general secretary Sohel Rana said the show-cause notice was issued because a specific allegation had been made against the organisation’s leader. He said further action would be taken after receiving and reviewing Mofizul’s written explanation.
