The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) chief Mujahidul Islam Selim has been injured in an attack by a group of suspected pro-government Bangladesh Chhatra League activists at a rally in Sylhet. Selim has blamed Awami League student front for the attacks.Two leftist parties have called a half-day shutdown in the city for Monday protesting against Sunday’s attack at the city’s Court Point.
CPB and Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BSD), both outside the two major political alliances, are organising rallies across Bangladesh in the lead-up to the general election due by Jan 24.
Opposition BNP has backed the shutdown call. The BNP has backed a half-day shutdown in Sylhet by two leftist parties protesting an attack on their rally in the city.
Party’s Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi blamed pro-government Bangaldesh Chhatra League activists for Sunday’s attack.
“Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) President Mujahidul Islam Selim was injured in the Chhatra League attack.
“We are supporting the half-day shutdown for Monday in Sylhet called by the leftist parties,” the senior leader of the chief opposition party toldjournalists. CPB is an ally of the Awami League-led government.
The assault took place in presence of policemen at the city’s Court Point. BNP’s acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has condemned the attack.
A group of unidentified stick-wielding youths attacked the Sylhet rally which was organised as part of the ongoing campaign.
Witnesses said the attack took place in presence of police.
CPB’s Sylhet unit President Bedananda Bhattacharya said: “A group of around 20 armed Chhatra League cadres attacked the rally around 5pm. At least six of our activists including the CPB President were injured.”
Chhatra League is the student affiliate of the ruling Awami League.
The rampaging youths vandalised the rally stage, microphones, chairs, tore apart the banners and left after police and the rally participants chased them.
BSD and CPB general secretaries Khalequzzaman and Syed Abu Zafar Ahmed, respectively, were present on the stage during the attacks.
The rally resumed after around 20 minutes amid tight security.
CPB President Selim said several youths chanting ‘Joy Bangla’ slogan – used frequently by the Awami League – attacked the peaceful rally.
“The heinous attack took place at the behest of the government,” he claimed.
BSD’s Khalequzzaman said the attack had proven that the ruling quarters cannot organise national polls in a peaceful manner.
Sylhet un
