Eminent citizens condemn attack on Gonoshasthaya

Condemning the recent attack on Gonoshasthaya Kendra, its students and staff, 57 eminent citizens yesterday demanded immediate investigation into the incident so that the attackers could be arrested and punished.

In a joint statement, they also demanded that the government take immediate steps to stop harassment and filing of cases against Gonoshasthaya founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury.

They also said those who hurled abuse at female students of Gono University during the attack and beat up Limon Hossain should be brought to book. The eminent citizens also condemned the law enforcers for not taking any steps in this regard.

On October 26, vandals broke the windows, doors and looted office equipment of a building of Gonoshasthaya Kendra in Savar, amid cases being filed against its founder.

They also beat up students and broke the right arm of Limon Hossain, a law student of Gono University, who has physical disabilities.

Since October 15, at least six cases have been lodged against Zafrullah, accusing him of land grabbing, extortion and stealing fish and fruits from locals.

The last case was filed yesterday against Zafrullah, three others and five to six unnamed people with Ashulia Police Station for allegedly grabbing some 2.17-acre of land and demanding Tk 5 crore in extortion, reports our Savar correspondent.

The case was filed on behalf of one Jahanara Ferdous Khan, owner of the land, said OC Javed Masud.

Though Gonoshasthaya officials and Limon have filed four written complaints, police were yet to record those as general diaries or cases, said Sheikh Alamgir, administration officer of Gonoshasthaya Kendra.

The signatories include Prof Emeritus Serajul Islam Choudhury; former adviser to a caretaker government M Hafizuddin Khan; eminent jurist Dr Shahdeen Malik; Transparency International Bangladesh Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman; Barrister Sara Hossain; environmental attorney Syeda Rizwana Hasan; rights activist Badiul Alam Majumdar; Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua; Prof Dilara Chowdhury; columnist Badruddin Umar; Prof Anu Muhammad; former adviser to a caretaker government Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, and local government expert Dr Tofail Ahmed.