Saturday | 11 January 2025 | Reg No- 06
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Saturday | 11 January 2025 | Epaper

A freedom fighter in Cumilla assaulted, forced to wear a garland of shoes

Condemnation all over, CA's office asks to punish persons involved in the incident

Published : Tuesday, 24 December, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 364
Staff Correspondent
A valiant freedom fighter, Abdul Hai Kanu has been assaulted and forced to wear a garland of shoes in front of Kuliyara Primary School in Chauddagram in Cumilla at Sunday afternoon. 

Once a video clip of the incident has gone viral on different social media, flames of protest and criticism sparked across the country.

Amid this situation, the Chief Adviser's Office on Monday condemned the incident and asked the authorities concern to take punitive measures against those involved with the incident of assaulting valiant freedom fighter Abdul Hai Kanu of Kuliyara Primary School area in Chauddagram of Cumilla.

Besides, admitting that the perpetrators are the supporters the party, Cumilla South District Jamaat-e-Islami on Monday expelled two of the perpetrators - Abul Hashem and Ohidur Rahman - from the party for the misdeed.

The incident of assaulting the freedom fighter took place on Sunday afternoon, according to our Correspondent from Cumilla.

A video got viral on Sunday showing that the freedom fighter Abdul Hai Kanu being assaulted and forced to wear a garland of shoes in front of Kuliyara Primary School in Chauddagram, Cumilla.

In the one-minute and 46-second video, 10 to 12 individuals are seen cornering Abdul Hai Kanu, forcing him to wear a garland of shoes, and threatening to expel him from Cumilla.

The incident was reportedly led by a local expatriate returnee, Abul Hashem, and another youth named Ohidur Rahman, who lives in Dhaka. They are involved with Jamaat-e Islami and its associate body Islami Chhatra Shibir.

The video also shows a few young men, along with a middle-aged man, bringing Abdul Hai Kanu forward. The freedom fighter, dressed in a red waistcoat and traditional panjabi, is seen with the garland of shoes around his neck.

During the incident, one person is heard telling him to leave his home, while another demands that he leave Cumilla altogether.

The attackers repeatedly shouted: "You cannot stay in this area. Not even in Cumilla. Cumilla out, area out, let him go."

When Abdul Hai Kanu pleaded not to be forced out of his home, the middle-aged man retorted: "Were we able to live at home for so many years?"

Another individual asked: "Can you apologize to the entire village?" At this point, Kanu folded his hands and apologized to everyone. Eventually, two men held his hands and led him away.

Speaking about the incident, Abdul Hai Kanu said: "They caught me alone and forcibly put the garland of shoes around my neck while recording the video."

In a voice choked with emotion, he added: "You can see in the video who is involved. To whom should I seek justice? Allah will deliver justice." He refrained from naming the attackers.

Some locals claimed that Abudl Hashem, one of the persons who harrased freedom fighter Abdul Hai Kanu, is a supporter of Jamaat-e-Islami.

It is learnt that Abdul Hai Kanu is a member of the Central Committee of Krishak League. Although he is associated with Awami League politics, he supported Mizan, a rival of former Railway Minister Mujibul Haque in Chauddagram, Cumilla.

This allegiance led him being displaced from the area for several years due to Mujibul's influence.

Upon his recent return to the area, he was attacked again.

In the statement issued by the Chief Adviser's Office on Monday, stated: "The police and local administration have been asked to launch an investigation into the incident and bring the perpetrators to book. Local police have said Abdul Hai Kanu is an accused in nine cases, including murder. We ask all to refrain from taking the law into their own hands."

In a joint statement issued on Monday, Cumilla South District Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Mu. Shahjahan and Secretary Dr. Sorwar Uddin; and Chauddagram Upazila Ameer Mu. 

Mahfuzur Rahman and Secretary Mu. Belal Hossain stated that they are not leader or activist of Jamaat-e-Islami. But, as the incident damaged the party's image, it expelled the two supporters of Jamaat for involvement with the incident.

Same time, they have also urged the country's people not to breach the law and assault anyone.

While talking to media, Chauddagram Jamaat Ameer Mahfuzur Rahman said: "Jamaat has no connection to this incident. Hashem holds no position in Jamaat. Even if he is a supporter, we will ensure justice is served."

Chauddagram Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) ATM Akteruzzaman said: "Freedom fighter Kanu informed me of the matter on Sunday night. He has been advised to file a complaint at the police station."



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