Grocery Store Occupation: Three Leaders Including Jubo Dal Convener Arrested

District Correspondent

In Jamalpur’s Madarganj Upazila, three Jubo Dal leaders, including the joint convener of the Upazila Jubo Dal, were arrested by joint forces on charges of forcibly occupying a grocery store owned by a businessman.

The incident was confirmed by Madarganj Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Hasan Al Mamun.

The arrested individuals are—Helal Uddin, joint convener of Madarganj Upazila Jubo Dal and a resident of Jonail Puja Ghat area; Shafiqul Islam, member of the Upazila Jubo Dal and resident of Moslemabad area; and Shohag Mia, Jubo Dal activist from Jonail Puja Ghat area.

According to police and local sources, in 2021, Nazmul Hasan and four others jointly purchased four shops from a cooperative society in Jonail Bazar for 12 lakh taka. Nazmul Hasan used one of those shops for a grocery business.

However, in March 2025, the three Jubo Dal leaders forcibly occupied those shops. Later, they used the shops as storage for rice from the OMS (Order Management System) program.

Despite multiple arbitration meetings at the local level, no resolution was reached, prompting the affected shop owners to bring the matter to the attention of law enforcement last Monday. Based on the complaint, a joint operation was conducted by police and military forces, leading to the arrest of the three accused.

Subsequently, shop owner Nazmul Hasan filed a case against the three at Madarganj Model Police Station.

Nazmul Hasan, the plaintiff and shop owner, said, “We bought the shops with our own money. Despite repeated requests, they did not vacate the shops. With no resolution locally, we had to seek help from the authorities.”

Confirming the Jubo Dal affiliation of the accused, Madarganj Upazila Jubo Dal Senior Joint Convener Mokhlesur Rahman said, “We have learned about the matter. The district Jubo Dal leaders will be informed, and they will decide on the next steps.”

Attempts to reach Sajib Khan, the district Jubo Dal convener, for comment were unsuccessful as he did not respond to repeated calls.

Meanwhile, Madarganj Upazila BNP President Advocate Manjur Kader Babul Khan said, “I have heard about the arrest of three Jubo Dal leaders. The truth of the matter will be verified, and further decisions will be made accordingly.”

OC Hasan Al Mamun added, “The three individuals were brought to the station and interrogated. A case has been filed by shop owner Nazmul Hasan against them. The accused will be sent to court on Tuesday.”