People hired for human chain, scuffle over money distribution
A human chain organised by 'Jatiya Sangbadpatra Pathak Forum', at the Central Shahid Minar in the city on Friday morning ended with scuffle over distribution of money meant for people called to the programme of the hitherto unknown organisation.
"They brought us here saying that the programme was in favour of the Prothom Alo. But after coming we found that it was just the opposite. We would not have come If we had known it beforehand," Jatiya Mohila Party city unit former joint convenor Runa Begum said.
Another Jatiya Mohila Party leader Nahida Akhter Chowdhury, who along with her party colleagues participated in the human chain, said, "We are in the grand alliance government. We were told that the human chain was being organised in protest of August 21 grenade attacks. After coming here, we found that the matter is not so."
It was found that most of those who participated in the human chain were leaders and workers of Jatiya Mohila Party. About 25 women were standing carrying banners like Bikoshito Nari Network, Chhoa Atmo Karmasansthan and Hunger Project were standing a little away from the main banner of the human chain.
Several participants talking to this correspondent said they were given Tk 50 to 100 per head for joining the programme.
But scuffle and clash followed the human chain programme over giving money 'less than promised'.
Samocha and sweets were distributed among the women workers and supporters through the leaders of Jatiya Mohila Party leaders after the human chain, several witnesses said. Suddenly some male and female activists standing on the north side of the Shahid Minar said, "We will not accept if Tk one less than promised is given."
Exchange of hot words and several rounds of scuffle among some women workers of Jatiya Mohila Party followed.
Some workers were seen scuffling over notes of Tk 20 and Tk 10. When a photographer of the Prothom Alo tried to take a snap, a photojournalist who was with the organisers of the human chain, repeatedly obstructed him.
Injured during the incident, Jatiya Mohila Party local leader Sheuli Akhter was admitted to Sylhet Osmany Medical College Hospital.
When contacted over cell phone in the afternoon, Sheuli Akhter said, "I am at hospital. My condition is bad."
Asked why she had gone to the human chain, she said, "I don't know."
One of the organisers claimed that the incident of clash was an isolated one. He said that only food was served after the programme. He denied giving anything else.
Yusuf Babul, who claimed himself as the member secretary of Sangbadpatra Pathak Forum, refused to make any comment on the clash over money.
Convenor of Jatiya Sangbadpatra Pathak Forum central committee Zahirul Haque presided over the programme. Yusuf Babul moderated the speech session where 10 to 12 persons spoke.
A speaker claimed that the Prothom Alo editor was involved in August 21 grenade attacks.
Another speaker said the country's democracy will be endangered if the Prothom Alo is not reined in right now.
Other speakers claiming that the Prothom Alo was trying to tarnish the image of the government and the country and continuing propaganda against Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan and Prime Minister's Health Affairs Adviser Modasser Ali.
Witnesses said the journalists of two newspapers owned by a controversial business group were seen active in the programme.
Similar human chains have been organised in the capital and several district towns. The organisers and their speeches were almost the same.a
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