Jamaat leaders attacked in Sirajganj

Two leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami were injured in an alleged attack on participants of the party’s Dhaka-Rangpur Long March in Soydabad, Sirajganj, on Saturday (Saturday 19), according to Jamaat Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Porwar.

Porwar said Jamaat leader Abdus Sabur came under attack by a group of alleged assailants after offering Zuhr prayers and leaving a mosque in Soydabad, shortly after the long march convoy had passed through the area.

Sabur sustained serious injuries in the attack, while another Jamaat leader, Nurunnabi, was also injured, Parwar said.

Sabur was initially taken to Sirajganj Medical College Hospital for treatment. As his condition was reportedly critical, he was later transferred to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogura for better treatment, according to Porwar.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Jamaat secretary general strongly condemned and protested the alleged attack.

He said the attack on Jamaat leaders and activists participating in the long march and the stabbing of Sabur and Nurunnabi were “highly condemnable and undemocratic.”

“Such an attack on people participating in a peaceful political programme is in no way acceptable,” he said.

Porwar urged the authorities concerned to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured leaders and wished them a speedy recovery.

He said political differences could exist, but obstructing a peaceful political programme or physically attacking political leaders and activists because of differences of opinion was contrary to democratic political culture.

“Organising political activities, including rallies and meetings, is a democratic right of the people,” he said, calling on all political parties and relevant stakeholders to play a responsible role in maintaining a peaceful political environment, the rule of law and democratic rights.

Porwar also demanded a speedy, fair and impartial investigation into the incident and called for the arrest of those responsible and legal action against them.