7 injured in alleged BCL and Jubo League attacks on Bangladesh Student-Youth Unity Council's march in Cumilla

At least seven people have been injured in alleged attacks by the Bangladesh Chhatra League and Jubo League on a protest march by the Bangladesh Student-Youth Unity Council in Cumilla today.

Among the injured, one with grave injury has been admitted to Comilla Trauma Centre.

Protesters alleged that attackers threw stones and bricks at them and even fired empty shots as the march reached Cumilla city's  Ranir Bazar road from Nazrul Islam Avenue.

Besides, allegations have also been raised against the police for obstructing the march organised by the student wing of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council in protest of attacks on rural poet Radhapada Roy and religiously hurtful statements by Munshiganj Mayor Mohammed Faisal Biplab.

The Bangladesh Student-Youth Unity Council also demanded that the public holiday on the occasion of Durga Puja be extended to three days from the existing two days.

Photo: TBS

Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikya Parishad's Cumilla unit General Secretary Tapas Baksi said, "We brought out the march to protest Mayor Faisal Biplab's statement calling MP Mrinal Kanti Das as 'malaun' - a pejorative term for Bengali Hindus -, statement by Cumilla-6 MP AKM Bahauddin Bahar ridiculing Puja and hurting the religious sentiments of worshippers, attack on rural poet Rahdapada Roy in Kurigram, vandalism of various temple during puja, and demanding an extension of the public holiday on Durga Puja occasion to three days."

Describing the attack, he said "There were 40 women at the front of the march. As we neared the Tax Building, the police told us that another procession was coming this way and instructed us to head back.

"We turned back immediately. But they attacked us from behind and fired empty shots. Seven of us were injured with three suffering serious injuries.

"We strongly condemn this attack."

Tapas alleged that MP Bahar had previously announced that if any protest marches are brought out, it will be resisted by Chhatra League and Jubo League.

He said, "Awami League leaders including the Cumilla Metropolitan Jubo League Convenor  Abdullah Al Mahmud Sahid were present in that procession [of Awami League wings]. It is sad that Bahar has become a member of parliament.

"We also did not even give any provocative speech in the protest rally, for which we could be attacked."

The Business Standard reached out to Jubo League leader Abdullah Al Mahmud Sahid over the phone seeking his comment on the allegations.

Though he replied to the call, once our correspondent introduced himself, the politician hung up the call saying he was attending a programme.

Meanwhile, calls to Cumilla Superintendent of Police Abdul Mannan went unanswered. 

However, Comilla Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Pankaj Barua told reporters that he along with Abdul Mannan visited the homes of those injured  during the attack on the protest rally.

The DC promised to inquire about the treatment of the injured and take legal action against those involved in the incident.