The Sangeet Bhaban authorities are preparing to lodge a complaint over the vandalism that took place in the Prabartak area of Chittagong city on Friday morning.
Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune on Sunday, Sangeet Bhaban Secretary Nur Nabi Miron said that they would file a formal complaint with the police over the vandalism.
Terming the incident as dastardly and despicable, Miron said that the miscreants swooped on the 54-year old musical institution which produced so many talented artistes over the years.
According to the eyewitnesses, the miscreants vandalised the tin-shed building, tore down the fences of the premises, and smashed musical instruments like harmonium, tabla, and tanpura.
A video of the attack went viral on Facebook which showed a group of 15 to 20 youth vandalising the music building and its premises.
Abul Kashem Bhuiyan, officer-in-charge of Panchlaish police station, told the Dhaka Tribune that they have already collected the video footage of the incident.
“We are now trying to identify the attackers based on the video footage. We will take necessary legal action in this regard,” said the OC.
“There has been a long-running dispute over the land between two parties. We have also beefed up the vigilance to avert any untoward incidents,” the OC added.
Sangeet Bhaban was founded in 1966 by musicians Priyada Ranjan Sen Gupta and Banabithi Sen Gupta on the land of Prabartak Sangha.
Kabery Sen Gupta, daughter of Priyada Ranjan Sen Gupta, took over the charge of Sangeet Bhaban six years ago, according to Prabartak Sangha.
Till 2015, Prabartak Sangha received the rent against the name of Dipak Sen Gupta, son of Priyada Ranjan Sen Gupta.
After Dipak Sen Gupta went to India with his family, Prabartak Sangha contacted Kabery Sen Gupta and requested her to sign an agreement over the rent.
But she avoided the matter and began to pay the rent through the court.
On Friday morning, Kabery began to replace the old doors and windows of the building and the evil bid was resisted.
Prabartak Sangha requested her not to go for any renovation work without obtaining permission from the court.
Tinkari Chakrabarty, Secretary to the Prabartak Sangha, said that house rent is the main source of income of the age-old organization which takes care of 550 orphans.
“But Kabery Sen Gupta wants to grab the land owned by Prabartak Sangha,” he alleged.
