Human chain demands case withdrawal over disputed vessel in Bhola

Residents formed a human chain in Bhola’s Charfesson upazila on Saturday demanding withdrawal of a case filed against several locals over a disputed foreign ship on the nearby coast.

The protest took place along the bank of the Meghna River at Charnizam area under ward no 8 in Dhalchar union, where they described the case as a “false and harassment case.”

According to locals, a foreign vessel named Alkubatan drifted to Charnizam coast on July 15, 2022. Since then, several groups have claimed ownership of the vessel and allegedly removed different parts and valuable equipment from it.

Recently, a man identified as Kazi Emdadul Haque from Dhaka claimed that he had obtained the ship through a court-approved auction and attempted to repair and turn the vessel movable which stemmed clashes between two groups in the area.

Following the incident, Emdadul filed a case on February 27 this year with Dakshin Aicha Police Station, accusing several locals of demanding Tk 50 lakh in extortion, snatching a mobile phone and assault.

Locals alleged that many residents named in the case have since gone into hiding.

During the human chain, residents said they had been guarding the stranded vessel for years and had only objected after suspecting that a fraudulent group was trying to take control of the ship by repairing or dismantling it.

They claimed that if anyone can prove legal ownership of the vessel, they would not raise any objection, but demanded the immediate withdrawal of the case and an end to alleged police harassment.

When contacted, Dakshin Aicha Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) Ahsan Kabir said clashes had occurred earlier over the vessel, but the situation is now under control.

“Police are guarding the ship as per court instructions. Legal action will be taken against anyone who violates the law,” added the OC.

SF/AM