GD filed over alleged mob assault of four in Shahbagh; victims cite harassment 

A general diary (GD) was filed with Shahbagh Police Station on Thursday night (10 April) after four individuals, including women, were injured in an alleged mob assault in the Shahbagh area.

Confirming the matter, Officer-in-Charge Moniruzzaman said police are still collecting details.

"We have advised the victims to seek medical treatment. The matter will be investigated," he said.

The incident occurred around 8:00pm near the National Museum, close to Dhaka University's Faculty of Fine Arts, where preparations for the Bangla New Year celebrations were underway.

According to victims and witnesses, a group of around 20 people surrounded them and launched the attack. Witnesses claimed the group had been rallying under the banner of "Azadi Andolon," although this could not be independently verified.

Victims alleged that the attack was driven by accusations related to their perceived sexual orientation.

A group of around 20 people surrounded them and launched the attack on 10 April/ Screengrab

Videos circulating on social media, which could not be independently verified, appear to show a crowd pushing several individuals to the ground and physically assaulting them.

Kazi Moazzema Tasnim, one of the injured, filed the GD, alleging that individuals identifying themselves as mobile journalists obstructed their movement and subjected the women to "embarrassing, indecent, and suggestive questions."

The GD further alleges that the gathering had been organised through a Facebook account under the name Mohammad Shahriar Alam, with assistance from another individual identified as Ali Hossain Tanmoy.

The injured were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment later that night.

One of the victims, Kazi Tahsin Agaz, said the group was chanting slogans against homosexuality and began harassing them without provocation.

"We were having tea nearby when they surrounded us. As we tried to leave, they started inappropriately touching the women and physically assaulting us, mainly targeting us," he said.

Another victim, Nirnoy H Islam, said he attempted to intervene, but the attackers intensified the assault, particularly targeting female members of the group.

Witnesses also said that earlier in the evening, a group had held a rally in Shahbagh calling for the area to be "free from homosexual activities and events".