Please - Odhikar

Traders bullet-hit in Roumari
A news was published in different national dailies regarding an incident of police firing on
traders on April 19, 2005. On the basis of that news Odhikar sent a team of fact finder to
Roumari. Odhikar talked to some injured eyewitnesses, victims, relatives of the victims, local
political figures, Upzilla Nirbahi Officer (UNO), the officer-in-charge of the local police station,
the medical officer of Roumari health complex and local people during the investigation.
Ayesha Aktar, wife of Helal Uddin alias Helal (28) who was shot and admitted to the Rangpur
Medical College Hospital informed Odhikar that, her husband was a day laborer and an
electrician. They had four members in their family including her mother in law and daughter.
That day (April 18) her husband went to the market and came across a dispute between the UNO
and the traders in front of the shop of one Nurul Huda. At one stage, the UNO went to the police
station. After some time, Helala went there with the traders. There the traders had a clash with
the police and Helal was shot and severely wounded. A bullet hit his chin and tore his tongue. At
first he was taken to the Roumari Health Complex and from there he was referred to the
Kurigram District Hospital. When his physical condition began to deteriorate, he was transferred
to the Rangpur Medical College Hospital.
Ayesha Aktar also informed Odhikar that the tongue of her husband had to be cut due to the
injury. Odhikar found him crying, as he was unable to talk. Physicians of the Rangpur Medical
College Hospital said that the physical condition of Helal was critical.
Another victim of the incident, Rashedul (18) informed Odhikar that on April 18, 2005 at around
10 am he went to the market and found that the local people had surroounded the UNO and
learnt that he (UNO) was collecting tolls in the name of the mobile court from every shop. The
UNO was freed from the situation with the help of police and hundreds of people followed him.
He (Rashedul) also went along with them and at one stage people started throwing stones at the
police station. Police opened fire in response and one bullet hit his leg.
Sirazul Islam, a primary school teacher said to Odhikar that UNO Md. Delower adopted unfair
means in every sector and collected tolls. That day, when he was asking for money as fine from
the shop traders, the local people and the small traders became infuriated with him.
Abdus Salam, younger brother of trader Samsul Huda, said that on April 18, the UNO came to
their shop and asked for his trade license. He answered that the license was with his elder
brother who was away from the shop at that time. On hearing that, UNO claimed Tk.6000 as a
fine. By that time, a crowd gathered in front of the shop. The UNO collected Tk 500, as fine due
to the pressure of the crowd and provided a receipt of that money. After that he collected fines in
the same manner from some other shops. The people were getting angry and at one stage
surrounded him. Police came and rescued him. The UNO went to the police station with the
police force and the mob followed him. An excited mob at one stage started throwing bricks and
stones at the police station. Consequently, police opened fired on them and a few people had
been injured. Traders were not opening their shops in protest against a case filed against them by
the UNO. Innocent people were injured by the bullets of police but unfortunately police made
them accused in the case.
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Report 2005