TDS Desk:

A group of unidentified individuals looted tenders for a marketplace lease in Rajshahi on Monday (February 3) after firing blank shots and exploding cocktails.

The incident took place at the Paba Upazila Parishad of the district this afternoon.

Confirming the incident, Shah Makhdum Police Station Officer-in-Charge Masuma Mostarin said police are trying to identify those involved by looking at the CCTV footage.

Local Jatiyatabadi Jubodal leaders and Islami Chhatrashibir leaders placed the blame on each other over the incident.

Paba Upazila Nirbahi Officer Arafat Aman Aziz said, “The tender box was kept on the ground floor of the office. The time for submitting tenders was from 9am to 12pm. Several tenders were submitted in the morning.

“At around 12:30pm, a clash occurred between two groups in a struggle for dominance. Cocktails exploded and several rounds of shots were fired. At this time, the tender box was broken and the submitted tenders were looted.”

A local Jubodal leader, on condition of anonymity, claimed the attackers were shouting “Naraye Takbir” slogan while exploding cocktails, firing shots and looting tenders.

“When we came to submit the tender, some people first blocked us at the gate. Even then, we made a bank draft and went to submit the tender in the box. Then we were attacked,” the Jubodal leader said.

When contacted, a former Shibir leader, who has been accused by the Jubodal leader, said, “It is true that I went to submit the tender. However, I have no involvement in the looting.”

He further alleged that this was a conflict between two groups of Jubodal and BNP.

One person, identified as Shakilur Rahman Ron, a former Jubodal leader, was reportedly stabbed in the incident and taken to the Rajshahi Medical College Hospital for treatment. However, officials have yet to confirm.