Police release 5 suspects detained for vandalising Pahela Baishakh event stage in Ctg

Chattogram police today (14 April) released five individuals who were detained in connection with the vandalism of a stage prepared for an event organised to mark the occasion of Pahela Baishakh at DC Hill last night.

The suspects were freed early this morning after a General Diary (GD) was filed over the incident, but no formal complaints were lodged against them, Md Abdul Karim, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station, confirmed to The Business Standard.

The five released individuals were identified as Md Alamgir (42), Md Nizam Uddin (42), Md Rafiqul Islam (53), Md Shah Alam (65), and Md Faruk (42).

According to police sources, suspects in such vandalism cases are presented before a court under Section 88 of the CMP Ordinance. However, this procedure was not followed this time.

When asked about this, OC Abdul Karim said, "Since no complaints were filed against them throughout the night, we released them based on the GD."

He declined to comment further, referring the reporter to senior police officials.

Deputy Commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Alamgir Hossain earlier told TBS that six people were detained over the incident. However, later CMP said only five were held and subsequently released.

Alamgir at the time alleged that "the allies of fascists" were behind the attack and said legal proceedings were underway against those arrested. 

However following the suspects' release, Deputy Commissioner Alamgir, CMP additional police commissioner (Crime and Operations) Md Humayun Kabir and ADC (Public Relations) Mahmuda Begum could not be reached over their phones for a comment in this regard.

The incident comes amid growing tension between cultural organisations over the celebration of Bangla New Year in the city.

According to police and district administration sources, BNP-backed cultural group JASAS (Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha) and similar organisations had objected to the celebratory event organised by Sammilito Pahela Baishakh Udjapan Parishad at DC Hill.

A meeting between JASAS representatives and the Deputy Commissioner's office took place yesterday afternoon but failed to resolve the dispute.

Sucharit Das Khokon, coordinator of the Parishad, alleged, "A group of 30 to 40 people brought out a procession and vandalised the stage while chanting slogans in front of the police. In protest, we have decided to boycott all our Pahela Baishakh programmes."

He further alleged administrative complicity, stating, "On Sunday afternoon, the DC office provided us with a list of 23 cultural groups, including Bodhon, Udichi, and Proma, instructing us not to let them perform on stage. The vandalism took place shortly afterwards. This reflects a failure on the administration's part."

This is the first time in 47 years that no celebratory event took place at DC Hill marking the Pahela Baishakh due to an attack since the Baishakh celebration began there in 1978. Other than this, Pahela Baishakh celebration was halted there during the two years of Covid-19 pandemic.

When visited on Sunday morning, DC Hill was largely empty, with no events taking place. A few people were seen in the area, and a significant police presence was noted.

In response to the incident, members of the Gonotrantik Jote's Chattogram district unit held a human chain protest at CRB Intersection on Sunday morning, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible.