Jamaat, Khelafat for independent investigation

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called for the formation of an independent, neutral and credible investigation commission to uncover the "actual facts" surrounding the 2013 Shapla Chattar incident and ensure exemplary punishment for those responsible.

In a statement issued on Tuesday marking the anniversary of the incident, the Jamaat chief described the events of May 5, 2013 at Dhaka's Shapla Chattar as a "tragic and disgraceful chapter" in the country's history.

He alleged that a "brutal operation" had been carried out against religious demonstrators and said the incident deeply shocked the conscience of the nation.

Meanwhile, leaders of Khelafat Majlish also demanded exemplary punishment for those allegedly involved in the Shapla Chattar violence.

In a separate statement, the party's Ameer Maulana Abdul Basit Azad and Secretary General Dr. Ahmad Abdul Qader alleged that law enforcement agencies and ruling party activists carried out a violent crackdown on Hefazat-e-Islam supporters during the gathering.