Since the resignation of Sheikh Hasina as the prime minister on August 5, incidents of arson, attacks and vandalism in police stations, government establishments, and residents of Awami League (AL) leaders have been reported from across the country. Angry protesters also removed and vandalized Bangabandhu's sculptures and murals in many districts and torched the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32.
A number of police personnel and leaders of the Awami League were killed in these attacks. General people also lost their lives.
When news of Sheikh Hasina's resignation spread, miscreants attacked the historic Mujibnagar Memorial Complex in Meherpur. They destroyed 600 sculptures of different sizes related to the Liberation War inside the complex.
Reports quoting eyewitnesses said that around 5pm on August 5, hundreds of people entered the memorial complex with iron rods, bamboos and hammers. At first they broke the head of Bangabandhu's sculpture. At the same time, another sculpture named ‘Guard of Honor of April 17’ was randomly attacked. Meanwhile, another group started attacking the sculptures of the Pakistani occupational forces’ surrender. Inside the complex, small sculptures depicting the battle in 11 sectors of the Liberation War were also demolished.
Humayun Ahmed, an Ansar member in charge of the complex, told the media that 600 sculptures were demolished in the attack. The main attraction for the tourists was these sculptures. Thousands of visitors used to come to the complex every day, he added. The miscreants smashed all the sculptures in the complex, he said, adding that a spree of looting took place everywhere in the complex.
Abzal Sheikh, member of tourist police at the complex, said miscreants ransacked the place several times till midnight. They came to the Ansar camp and vandalized the office. They also removed the hard disk of the closed-circuit television camera (CCTV) from the control room.
Subedar Rabiul Islam, officer-in-charge of the Ansar camp, said, when the miscreants started attacking the camp, instructions were sought on the phone from the Upazila Nirbahi Officer. He could not give any instructions. Because of this, Ansar members took a position in the barracks to ensure the safety of their lives and weapons.
The historic Mujibnagar is a very important part of our glorious history of independence that we achieved in 1971. This place is widely known to the researchers, academicians and journalists at home and abroad. Earlier known as Boidyanathtola, this is the very place where on 17 April 1971 the provisional government of independent Bangladesh was sworn in. In fact, on 10 April 1971, parliament members elected in 1970 from East Pakistan formed the provisional government of independent Bangladesh in exile.
Inaugurating the government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on April 17, the national anthem Amar Sonar Bangla was sung in chorus. Although Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was declared the first president, Syed Nazrul Islam was appointed acting president and hoisted the flag of Bangladesh. Tajuddin Ahmad was appointed the first prime minister. Acting President Syed Nazrul Islam presided over the ceremony at Mujibnagar. The President, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, had been arrested and flown to Pakistan when the Pakistan army launched the genocide on 25 March 1971 and remained incarcerated there throughout the war.
On the same day that Sheikh Hasina fled the country, some people set fire to the Dhanmondi 32 residence of Bangabandhu. Popular singer Rahul Anando's house was burnt to ashes. All his musical instruments were destroyed. Various sculptures were vandalized in different places including Dhaka. A branch of Star Cineplex was vandalized in Rajshahi. In Dhaka, various theater halls were attacked. Shasi Lodge in Mymensingh also came under attack. The Bangladesh Shishu Academy building was vandalized by another group. It was looted and was set on fire later. Attacks were carried out on 22 branches of Shilpakala Academy across the country. In Mymensingh's Zainul Park area, the sculpture of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin was also vandalized.
