Bangladesh consulate in NY seeks US action over harassment of Adviser Mahfuj Alam

Bangladesh's Consulate General in New York has written to local police, the mayor's office and the US State Department's local office, requesting action over the harassment of Information Adviser Md Mahfuj Alam by Awami League supporters while he was entering its premises on Sunday (24 August).

The consulate said photographs and video footage have been provided to police as evidence, adding that law enforcement has assured it of taking legal action, according to a press release issued yesterday (25 August).

The letter follows unrest outside its building during an event marking the first anniversary of the July Uprising. Information Adviser Mahfuj attended the event as the chief guest, along with around 150 members of the Bangladeshi community.

Awami League supporters harass, throw eggs at Adviser Mahfuj at New York Consulate

At the request of the consulate, the New York City Police Department had deployed sufficient personnel before the start of the event for security purposes.

According to the press statement, supporters of the US chapter of the Awami League and affiliated groups started gathering outside the consulate at 5pm, chanting slogans against Bangladesh's interim government, hurling abuse and attempting to disrupt the programme.

"At one stage, they chased the arriving guests and prevented them from entering the programme. They also resorted to various subversive tactics, which included throwing eggs at the guests. In an extremely reprehensible act, they struck the glass door of another office adjacent to the consulate's entrance (in the same building), causing it to crack," reads the media release.

Police deployed at the venue intervened and detained several individuals, it added.

The consulate said cohorts of the fallen fascist government remained around the consulate until midnight with the Awami League's party flags, with the intent to harass and endanger the life of the chief guest, Mahfuj. 

However, police remained present the entire time for security reasons, the statement said, adding that the police left the venue after the adviser's departure.

NCP condemns harassment

The National Citizen Party today (26 August) condemned the harassment of Mahfuj, a key figure in the July uprising, by leaders and activists of the Awami League outside the Bangladesh consulate in New York.

The NCP called on both Dhaka and Washington to launch an immediate investigation into it and take all necessary legal measures against those responsible.

The party expressed concern saying that over 24 hours have passed since the incident, yet the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued no official protest or taken any action in this regard. 

It also urged the United States to designate the Awami League as a "terrorist organisation" in light of its violent activities and to take necessary legal action.