Ctg Harijan community members harassed over lawyer Alif’s murder: Ganatantrik Odhikar Committee

Members of the Harijan community in Chattogram are being harassed in connection with the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif, alleged the Ganatantrik Odhikar Committee today (29 December).

In a press conference held at the Maulana Mohammad Akram Khan Auditorium of the National Press Club, the committee stated that the case and investigation into the murder are not being conducted properly, as individuals who were not present at the scene have been arrested.

On 23 December, a team led by Advocate Jotirmoy Barua visited Chattogram, nearly a month after the killing of lawyer Alif. Alif was brutally murdered on 26 November in an alley opposite the Chattogram court premises during a clash between supporters of former Iskcon leader Chinmoy Krishna Das and law enforcement officers.

The press conference was organised to present the observations and recommendations following the field visit. Jotirmoy Barua, a member of the committee, read out the written statement during the press conference.

He stated, "The murder of lawyer Alif occurred near the Harijan community's Sevak Colony. Police are harassing Harijan community members. Since the incident, six cases have been filed, and ten people of the community have been arrested."

He further added, "Hindu lawyers from the Chattogram Bar have been mass-implicated in cases, and even Muslim lawyers have been arrested. With the upcoming Chattogram Bar elections, there are concerns that a self-interested group may be exploiting the situation for their benefit."

Committee member and Professor Anu Mohammad of Jahangirnagar University said, "In six cases, around 2,500 unidentified individuals have been named as suspects. Additionally, those who actively participated during the uprising have been implicated simply for being followers of the Sanatan religion."

Professor Samina Lutfa of Dhaka University said, "Even four months after the July uprising, we are witnessing that a marginalised community (Harijan) is being discriminated against solely because of their religious identity."

Among others, Dr Harun Ar Rashid, Seema Dutta, and Manzur Al Matin, members of the Ganatantrik Odhikar Committee, were present at the press conference.