Man publicly hacked in Central Road

A man was publicly attacked and hacked by unidentified individuals in Dhaka's Central Road area on Sunday (18 May) night. 

The incident took place around 11:30pm in Central Road under New Market police station and the video of the attack was later widespread on social media.

The injured has been identified as Saif Hossain Munna. 

He is currently undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) for serious injuries to both hands and his spine, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of New Market Police Station AKM Mahfuzul Haque told The Business Standard on Monday night. 

A police patrol team went to the spot immediately after the incident, the OC said, adding that the victim's side has been asked to file a complaint.

In the video, two young men were seen standing at a three-way intersection. Suddenly, one of them began assaulting the other. Shortly after, three more young men arrived at the scene on two motorcycles. Two of them got off the bikes and began indiscriminately hacking the victim with sharp weapons. 

Though pedestrians and vehicles were present nearby, no one intervened. After the attackers left, locals and passersby rescued the injured man.

The victim is a resident of the Central Road area, locals said, also pointing out that he is an associate of the BNP as he is known to be close to Moinuddin Moinu, general secretary of BNP's Ward-16.

Contacted, BNP leader Moinuddin Moinu told TBS that the OC of Kalabagan Police Station was present at the scene, and Munna identified his attackers. 

"So, we will file the case at Kalabagan Police Station. Once Munna's condition stabilises, we will initiate the legal process," he added. 

He claimed they identified two of the attackers — one named MC Shuvo and the other Rana.

Moinuddin alleged that Shuvo and former Jubo Dal leader Shah Alam Shaikat were seen together at various party events.

He further claimed, "About a month ago, police arrested Shuvo with weapons, but a faction of Jubo Dal gathered at the police station and secured his release. However, Munna has a clean image. His parents are deceased, and he lives with his two sisters in their own home. The attack on him was driven by animosity."

Contacted, former Member Secretary of New Market Jubo Dal Shah Alam Shaikat denied any involvement in the incident. 

He told TBS, "I have no involvement in this attack."

"Many people attend party events and take photos. Just being in the same photo doesn't make someone my follower," he added. 

He added that he has informed senior party leaders about the incident.

According to police sources in the Ramna Division, there had been an ongoing conflict between Moinu and Shaikat over local extortion and establishing dominance in the area. It is believed that this feud may have led to the attack on Munna.