Lawyer killed amid Ctg protests over ex-Iskcon leader Chinmoy's arrest

A lawyer was killed during protests that spilled outside the Chattogram court premises today (26 November) when a group of people believed to be supporters of former Iskcon Bangladesh leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari blocked the prison van carrying him to jail after his bail plea was rejected.

Saiful Islam Alif, an assistant public prosecutor, was rescued from an alley next to the Kotwali's Rangam Convention Hall at around 3:30pm. He was then taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital where the on-duty doctor declared him dead.

Chattogram court area is not more than 5 minutes of walking distance from the convention hall.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Colonel (retd) Md Jahangir Alam said vested groups at home and abroad, including banned political parties, could be involved in instigating the violent unrest over the arrest of Chinmoy.

"There could be instigations from both home and abroad. Some parties have been banned. They could also be involved in the instigation," he told reporters in reply to a question during a press briefing in Sylhet.

CMCH Police Outpost In-charge Nurul Alam Ashek told TBS, "Alif was brought in with a serious head injury."

CMCH Director Brigadier Md Taslim Uddin told TBS, "The lawyer was brought dead. He had head injuries. An autopsy will be conducted to confirm whether or not he was hit on the head with a sharp weapon."

TBS could not independently verify exactly how the killing took place.

Protest, police action  

At around 12:15pm today, Chittagong Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate's Court Judge Kazi Shariful Islam denied Chinmoy's bail application and ordered to send him to jail.

After the hearing, when Chinmoy boarded a police prison a mob blocked the roads for 2.5 hours. They resisted the police and punctured the tires of the prison van. 

Later, the police dispersed the crowd by firing sound grenades and resorting to baton charge.

Then at about 2:45pm, police cleared the area and Chinmoy was taken to jail in a police pickup.

Chinmoy was also seen calling on his followers to remain calm from inside the prison van.

"We are not against the state and the government. We, the Sanatanis, are a part of the state.... We will not do anything to destabilise the state and destroy peaceful coexistence. We will hold a peaceful protest by controlling our emotions and turning them into strength," he said.

Meanwhile, when the protesters were chased to disperse, they pelted bricks and stones at motorcycles, cars and the chambers on the ground floor of the court mosque market while leaving the area. 

Several people were injured by the brick chips. 

A "pitha" seller sustained head wounds, while eyewitnesses said Alif was beaten up and killed in the alley next to the convention hall. The alley is known as the Methor Potti of the area, as most of the cleaners live there.

Some unknown people who had taken position in this alley were also seen to be carrying sharp weapons.

Lawyers protested in the court area against the murder of Alif. They staged a demonstration and called for a work abstention for today.

On 25 October, Chinmoy was accused in a sedition case for allegedly disrespecting Bangladesh's national flag by hoisting a saffron flag above it at a rally organised by the Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Mancha in Chattogram. He was detained by police at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at about 4:30pm on Monday.

The case against him was filed by local BNP leader Firoz Khan who was later expelled from the party over the issue.

Chinmoy, also spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Mancha, and several others were expelled from Iskcon last July on charges of anti-discipline activities within the organisation.

India concerned

India's Ministry of External Affairs in a statement issued today termed the arrest of Chinmoy a cause for deep concern and urged Bangladesh to protect Hindus and other minorities.

"We have noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatan Jagran Jote. This incident follows multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh...We urge Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression," the statement said.

Besides, the Indian Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal threatened to initiate a "blockade" on the border while also demanding his release.

West Bengal state's opposition leader, Suvendu Adhikari, came up with the statement after attending an event with BJP lawmakers.

The BJP leader said they will hold protests in front of the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata condemning the arrest.

Alif could not see the face of unborn child  

Alif has a three-year-old daughter named Taskia. His wife, Israt Jahan Tarin, is four months pregnant. The couple were eagerly awaiting their second child. But he could not live to see the face of his unborn child.

At Chattogram Medical College Hospital, near the morgue, the relatives of the deceased were seen wailing uncontrollably. His elderly father, Jamal Uddin, kept fainting repeatedly in grief over the loss of his son.

While wailing, Jamal said, "I demand justice for the murder of my son. Those who killed my son in such a way, I have left their judgement to Allah. May Allah deliver justice to them.