Case filed against Tanti Dal leader over alleged firing after mosque donation row

A prospective union parishad chairman candidate in Netrokona's Purbadhala has been accused of brandishing a pistol and firing a blank shot after a local mosque accepted a larger donation from a rival contender.

A case was filed against him under the Arms Act five days after the incident.

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The accused, Abu Bakkar Siddique, is from Khalishaur village and a prospective chairman candidate for Khalishaur Union Parishad. He is also assistant secretary of the district committee of Jatiyatabadi Tanti Dal, an associate body of the BNP.

Sub-Inspector Md Abdullah Al Rahid of Purbadhala Police Station filed the case yesterday. OC Md Abdullah Al Mamun confirmed the incident this morning.

According to police, the imam and committee members of Khalapara (Dakshin Para) Jame Mosque were collecting donations to buy a microphone. Abu Bakkar donated Tk 4,000 on September 17, while another prospective chairman candidate, Md Masud Mia, donated Tk 5,000 the following day.

The complaint states that Abu Bakkar became furious after learning about the larger donation. Around 7:45pm on September 19, he called the imam and committee members to a clothing shop at Ichulia Bazar and demanded his donation back. After receiving the money, he allegedly warned people not to touch his campaign banners in the market.

During an altercation, he allegedly pulled out a pistol, brandished it and fired a blank shot, triggering panic among traders and shoppers. Police later recovered an empty cartridge casing from the spot. A GD was filed that night.

Mosque imam Omar Faruk and committee vice-president Fazlul Haque said Abu Bakkar had demanded his money back after learning about Masud Mia's donation, but they could not say who fired the shot.

Abu Bakkar's wife, Sonia Akhter, denied the allegations and claimed the incident was orchestrated to push her husband out of the electoral race. She called for an impartial investigation.

Abu Bakkar could not be reached as his phone was found switched off.

Saifuddin Ahmed Lenin, president of the district unit of Tanti Dal, confirmed Abu Bakkar's position and said organisational action would be taken if the allegations are proven.

OC Abdullah Al Mamun said no record of a licensed firearm was found under Abu Bakkar's name. Police are conducting drives to arrest him and recover the alleged weapon.