Plan Int'l condemns attack on Lalmonirhat Officials

Plan International Bangladesh yesterday expressed outrage about the attack on its officials in Lalmonirhat on Wednesday and demanded that the perpetrators be brought to book.

Four staff, including Programme Unit Manager Mahfuzar Rahman, were assaulted by a gang of criminals in the Hatibandha upazila unit office of the development agency. The furniture and documents of the office were also damaged, says a press release.

The non-government organisation had to suspend its works of the local office for security reasons. The agency has been working in Bangladesh since 1994.

With full confidence in the government's investigation into the attack, the NGO hoped that the authorities concerned will take necessary action against the attackers, the release added.

Project Manager Rakibul Bahar, one of the injured in the attack, filed a case with Hatibandha Police Station accusing one Swadhin Akhi of Barakhata and around 14-15 unnamed persons.

Officer-in-Charge Abdul Matin said Barakhata Union Jubo League General Secretary Nuruzzaman, also a contractor for implementing a project funded by the NGO in Barakhata and Fakirpara unions, might have been involved in the attack as the ogranisation suspended the project over an allegation of corruption against him.

Contacted, Nuruzzaman denied all the allegations.