POBNEWS24, Dhaka Nov 3, 2021 :Monaf Sikder, former vice-president of Cox’s Bazar district Chhatra League, was shot dead at the root of a dispute over possession of land worth around Tk 25 crore at a dry market in the beach area. Local sources said. Monaf’s relatives allege that Mujibur Rahman, the mayor of Cox’s Bazar municipality and general secretary of the district Awami League, tried to occupy the place. They claim that Monaf was shot at the mayor’s command after failing to occupy. A case of attempted murder has been registered against the mayor in this incident.
To take up the case against the mayor, the leaders and activists of the ruling party almost paralyzed the tourist city of Cox’s Bazar from last Sunday evening till 9.30 pm. The next day, from 2 am to 2 pm on Monday, the councilors and officials-employees of the municipality went on strike and caused another round of misery to the common people. These incidents spread panic among the tourists and the people of the city. However, the situation in Cox’s Bazar city is now normal.
Dispute over that land
According to local sources, the area of Cox’s Bazar Sadar in dispute is 1.10 acres. Saira Khatun of Veola village, east of Chakriya, got the settlement from the Public Works Department in 1991. The place had been empty for a long time. The control of this land in the Sugandha area of the city is now in the hands of the people in favor of Monaf Sikder.
According to documents from the Cox’s Bazar Sadar Land Office, the land is under the hotel-motel zone. Assistant Commissioner (Land) Nu-enang Marma Mong told Prothom Alo that when the area was made a hotel-motel zone, it was included in the khas ledger. But the mark of a ledger remains outside the number. It could not be evicted. Subsequently, a report was sent to the district administration from the office of the Assistant Commissioner (Land). Later, the eviction campaign was carried out in the beginning of 2020 by including it in the khas khatian
. But a party of place owners went to the district administration with the papers. The matter has been pending since then.
According to local sources, a person named Obaidul Hossain is currently in control of a part of the place. He is the uncle of Monaf Sikder. Fragrant dried fruits have been marketed there. There are 34 shops. The monthly rent is 10 thousand rupees. Monaf was shot in front of this market.
Monaf’s cousin Rana Sikder was talking at the dry market at 3.30 pm on Monday. He claimed that Monaf started a dispute with Mayor Mujibur Rahman over the market place.
Rana Sikder said that in 2016, his uncle Obaidul Hossain took the 55th century of the place from Saira Khatun through power of attorney. Earlier, a person had occupied the place. However, in 2019, they removed the person and took control of the place But the man again took refuge in the mayor to take over the place. At one point, the mayor took over the place with his team in January this year. Then they go to court. The place came under their control based on a court ruling in June.
Monaf’s elder brother and plaintiff said. Shahjahan told Prothom Alo that the place had been under threat since they came under their control.
Denying all allegations, Mayor Mujibur Rahman said he was not in favor of the place. He has tried to resolve the dispute between the two sides.
Mayor Mujibur Rahman further told Prothom Alo that he was a victim of conspiracy. Monaf Sikder, a former cadre of some influential Chhatra League of the party, is trying to make him controversial by accusing him of attempted murder.
There are no arrests in the case, investigation is underway
On October 28, miscreants shot dead Monaf Sikder, former vice-president of the district BCL. Cox’s Bazar Sadar Model Police Station on Sunday afternoon, Mayor Mujibur Rahman, District Awami League Organizing Secretary Nasrin Sarwar Kaberi filed a murder case against eight people, including the city’s Peshkarpara resident and Monaf’s older brother. Shahjahan. Monaf is still undergoing treatment at Chittagong Medical College Hospital, his relatives said.
Police have not arrested anyone in the attempted murder case till last night. Cox’s Bazar Sadar Model Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sheikh Munir-ul-Gias told Prothom Alo that the case is under investigation. Attempts are being made to identify those who fired.
Cox’s Bazar police sources said that there are various allegations against Monaf Sikder. There are eight cases against him, including murder.
