Alleged BNP men beat Jamaat leader at Dhaka North public hearing after making extortion allegation

A leader of Jamaat-e-Islami was attacked by alleged BNP men after the former brought allegations of extortion at Mohammadpur Krishi Market at a public hearing of the Dhaka North City Corporation.

Dhaka North Administrator Mohammad Azaz, who was present at the time, confirmed the matter to The Business Standard.

"When the person started to complain against Mohammadpur Krishi Market area's extortion the some people attacked him. Then we learned that they were BNP men and the complaint was valid," he told TBS.

He, however, did not identify the attackers by name.

Condemning the attack, Azaz said, "Public hearings are a civil right and people of all political ideologies can present their views here. This kind of violence undermines our democratic practice."

The victim of the beating has been identified as Jamaat leader Mostaq Ahmed Mahmud.

Speaking to TBS, he said, "I was peacefully raising civil issues. Yet, I was attacked in a planned manner, which is very unfortunate and condemnable."

The incident took place at a public hearing and exchange of views with prominent citizens and city residents organised by the Dhaka North regarding improving the quality of citizen services.

Eyewitnesses said that Mostaq, introducing himself, spoke about the waterlogging, poor condition of the roads and the deterioration of the drainage system in the Dhaka North area.

He was attacked when he spoke about alleged extortions at Mohammadpur Krishi Market and called on authorities to take steps in this regard.

The attack caused panic and chaos among the citizens present at the meeting. Later, security forces quickly intervened at the scene and brought the situation under control.