Gonojagoron Moncho spokesperson Imran H Sarker was assaulted by a group of unidentified miscreants for the second consecutive day on Friday afternoon, this time in front of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).
Prior to the most recent attack, Imran and a group of other Gonojagoron Moncho activists had gathered at Shahbagh to protest the attack on them that took place on Thursday.
“We were returning home after police disallowed the protest. Similar to yesterday’s (Thursday’s) attack, a group of about 25 unidentified attackers launched an assault upon us in front of PG hospital (BSMMU), and we had to take shelter inside,” Imran told the Dhaka Tribune.
The Gonojagoron Moncho spokesperson also claimed that the body language and nature of the attack proves that the attackers were from the same group as Thursday’s assailants.
Though Imran said a complaint had been lodged with Shahbagh police station and a case had been filed regarding Thursday’s attack, OC of the police station Abul Hasan could not be reached by phone for confirmation.
Imran added that a phone left behind by one of the attackers had been handed over to law enforcement officials.
The first attack
A group of unidentified attackers launched an assault on Gonojagoron Moncho spokesperson Imran H Sarker on Thursday, in front of the National Museum in Dhaka’s Shahbagh area.
According to eyewitnesses, some activists of Gonojagoron Moncho, who were collecting funds to provide aid to people in flood affected areas, were attacked by a group of men who claimed there were no floods in the country.
The assailants fled the scene when other activists of Gonojagoron Moncho rushed to Imran’s defense.
Though the attackers are yet to be identified, Gonojagoron Moncho activist Jibananondo Joyonto said that members of Bangladesh Chhatra League had previously threatened to beat them up if the Gonojagoron Moncho activists were seen near the DU campus.
Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune, Imran said: “A group of unidentified miscreants abruptly launched an attack on us with blunt instruments like sticks, hockey sticks and brick bats. At least five of our activists were injured in the attack.”
“Before launching their assault, they shouted that there is no flood in the country and that we have been creating the flood.”
“It appears that the attack was pre-planned and they were fully prepared for it,” Imran added.
One of the Gonojagoron Moncho activists, named Riyad, was seriously injured during the attack and rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Earlier, Nagorik Shomaj, a social awareness platform with which Gonojagoron Moncho is aligned, had organised the human chain at Shahbagh, demanding increased government action and rescue operations for the flood victims in the northern districts.
