Awami League activists attempt attack on Adviser Mahfuj Alam in London
As the Bangladesh High Commission’s cars were leaving from behind the SOAS campus, Awami League activists threw eggs at the vehicles
Awami League leaders and activists reportedly attempted to attack Information Adviser Md Mahfuj Alam yesterday (12 September) while he was leaving a seminar at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London.
The seminar, held at SOAS in central London's Bloomsbury area, was jointly organised by the Bangladesh High Commission and the university authorities.
At around 7pm local time, as the high commission's cars were leaving from behind the SOAS campus, Awami League activists threw eggs at the vehicles.
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In a Facebook post today, Akbar Hossain, press minister at the high commission, said Mahfuj attended two events in London yesterday, adding that his first programme took place at 4pm at SOAS to mark the one-year anniversary of Bangladesh's July Uprising, co-hosted by the university and the Bangladesh High Commission.
According to him, around 18 Awami League activists gathered in front of SOAS and chanted slogans, though the adviser's car faced no obstacles reaching the venue. Police had already set up strict security measures at SOAS's request.
Akbar said that after the adviser and officials entered the campus, "miscreants" pelted eggs at cars in the parking area.
"When the event ended, Mahfuj Alam and high commission officials left in several vehicles. Later, as two empty cars of the high commission exited the campus, a group of agitators lay down on the road to create an obstruction, while others hurled eggs at the vehicles. Police quickly removed those blocking the road."
Later, at 7:30pm, Mahfuj attended a scheduled exchange-of-views programme at the Bangladesh High Commission, joined by representatives of various political parties, students and journalists, Akbar added.
Police in London have been in constant contact with the high commission and have assured it of full security for the adviser, he said in the post.
This comes after Bangladesh's Consulate General in New York wrote to local police, the mayor's office and the US State Department's local office last month, requesting action over the harassment of Mahfuj by Awami League supporters while he was entering its premises on 24 August.
