Counter-Claims Escalate Phulbari Eidgah Soil Dispute

Tension over the cutting of soil at a local Eidgah in Phulbari, Dinajpur, has escalated as the two conflicting parties the Eidgah Committee (representing local villagers) and Upazila Jubo Dal joint convener Shibli Sadiq held consecutive counter-press conferences this week.

The clash centers on an incident on Monday (December 1) when Shibli Sadiq allegedly cut soil from the Eidgah field while filling his own purchased land, leading to a scuffle, attacks, and a highway blockade by angry villagers, which was eventually controlled by police.

On Tuesday evening, Jubo Dal leader Shibli Sadiq claimed the dispute was trivial and fabricated in a planned manner to politically humiliate him.

However, the Eidgah Committee and villagers hit back on Wednesday afternoon, denying any political motivation and asserting they are simply trying to protect the graveyard area. They alleged that Sadiq is attempting to politicize their "just movement" to conceal misdeeds carried out using his political identity. Tension remains high in the area, with locals fearing another immediate confrontation.