Jatiya Party Vice Chairman Shafiqul Islam Madhu, who is also the party's Khulna district unit president, has said students or the general public were not involved in the vandalism and arson at the JaPa office in Khulna on Saturday.
Speaking at a press conference at the Khulna Press Club on Sunday, where various district and city leaders of the Jatiya Party were present, Madhu claimed that a third party launched the attack, possibly being incited by those trying to seize control of the office.
He demanded that the true perpetrators of the attack be identified, arrested, and brought to justice.
Madhu said that on Saturday evening, a procession of over 100 people broke through the gate of the Khulna JaPa office during Maghrib prayers.
He added that they entered the office, looted valuables, including cash amounting to Tk25,290, and vandalized items, such as chairs, tables, fans, two TVs, important documents of district and city office secretaries, portraits of party founder Hussain Muhammad Ershad, and current leaders.
They also set fire to the office before leaving, causing significant damage, Madhu said.
About an hour later, members of the army and navy arrived to survey the scene and took photos.
Madhu said that this attack was premeditated.
He said he had sensed the risk and had formally alerted the Khulna Metropolitan Police commissioner on Friday.
"Various government intelligence agencies and law enforcement were also informed of the threat. Despite this, the attacks, vandalism, and arson still occurred."
He mentioned that since July 3, Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader has spoken in parliament and at public gatherings about issues facing students and the need to stand against discrimination.
"Following the killing of Abu Sayed in Rangpur, JaPa was the first to publicly express solidarity with the student movement, participating in protests and marches. Two Jatiya Party activists lost their lives while supporting this movement."
