WGH: Headman, 2 others assaulted for flagging illegal PMAY collection

From Our Correspondent
Tura, April 7: Following a complaint made by the headman of the village of Bhangarpar under Demdema C&RD Block in West Garo Hills to the BDO and Deputy Commissioner over some miscreants allegedly extorting money from unsuspecting villagers in the guise of kickbacks for PMAY houses, things took a violent turn after the headman and two job card holders were allegedly assaulted by the group against whom the complaint was made.
Further, not only was the headman, identified as Motiur Islam assaulted but the assault stemmed from the fact that he tried to intervene when the group of about 7 men were assaulting another two persons who have also registered separate complaints against the same group of people.
According to the FIR filed at the Bogulurbhita Outpost on Sunday, the suspects have been identified as Enamul Islam, Messer Ali, Gulam Hussain, Mojibor Rehman, Tofishuddin Ahmed, Alom and Samsul Hoque.
The FIR, filed by Motiur, stated that the incident occurred at 12 pm on Sunday in Bhangarpar village after he was allegedly contacted by an alleged media person who claimed that he had been sent to look into the complaint of illegal collection that was being made.
“The reporter called me and I met him near the Patharkata Government LP School. I asked him on whose authority he had come. He informed us that he had been brought to the village by the 7 accused persons and was sent by the C&RD office to investigate the complaints,” said the headman.
Apparently when he was talking to the person who came as a media person, he heard loud arguments and saw the 7 accused assaulting Saminul Islam and Noor Islam.
“When I intervened the accused turned on me as I was the one who made the complaint to the office and began to assault me with sticks and blows to the body. I sustained serious injuries to my head and leg and am unable to walk due to the pain. The accused even threatened to cause me more harm in the future. I am now fearful of my life and future,” stated Motiur.
A video record of the entire incident has also been submitted with the FIR for evidence of the assault. However in the melee, the media person fled the scene.
The FIR filed by Noor Islam on the assault stated that he had paid Rs 1000 for 6 Geo-tags when asked by the same media person and was attacked immediately for speaking out. He too named the same persons as his assaulters.
Saminul Islam’s complaint also recounted a similar tale where he too accused the same group of assault for speaking out against the illegal collections undertaken from unsuspecting job card holders like him.
The FIRs have been registered and a case under various BNSS sections is currently under investigation.