BCL, Jubo League men swoop on protesters

Leaders and members of Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council today came under attack, allegedly by Jubo League and Chhatra League men, in Cumilla city's Nazrul Avenue area.

The incident took place around 11:30am when the council brought out a procession protesting local lawmaker AKM Bahauddin Bahar's "disrespectful" remarks about Durga Puja, reports our Cumilla correspondent.

Council leaders claimed that at least three people were injured in the attack. They alleged that the attackers were supporters of the lawmaker from Cumilla-6.

Taposh Bakshi, general secretary of the council's Cumilla district unit, said the council leaders and members were heading towards Pubali Square in Kandirpar with a protest procession after holding a scheduled rally in Raninbazar area. But police intercepted the procession near Nazrul Avenue.

"As we were returning from there, more than 100 supporters of the local MP, who were holding another programme nearby, attacked us from behind," he told The Daily Star.

Manik Bhowmik, a leader of the council, alleged that the MP's followers attacked them with sticks and threw brickbats. Police later brought the situation under control.

Police said two injured received treatment at a local hospital.

Today, Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council oraganised rallies in different parts of the country, including the capital, protesting Munshiganj Mayor Faisal Biplab's "communal" remarks against local MP Mrinal Kanti Das, Bahauddin's "disrespectful" remarks about Durga Puja, attack on poet Radhapada Roy in Kurigram, and vandalism of temples at different places.

Contacted, Bahauddin claimed that no incident of attack took place on Nazrul Avenue.

As part of the scheduled programme, Jubo League and Chhatra League held a "peace rally" at Pubali Square in the morning, he said.

"But a group of people using the name of Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council tried to chant provocative slogans, creating tension in the area. Police later intervened and calmed down the situation," the lawmaker told this newspaper.

Atiqullah Khokon, joint secretary of Cumilla city AL, said some rivals of Bahauddin have been trying to hatch a conspiracy by spreading part of the video footage of his statement on Durga Puja. "We will resist them."

Cumilla Superintendent of Police Abdul Mannan said that police barred the two groups from getting close.

He said law enforcers would take legal action against those who would create anarchy.

On October 4, Bahauddin during a meeting on the upcoming Durga Puja at the DC office spoke on consumption of alcohol in puja mandaps and making those free from alcohol.

His remarks drew criticism from Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council that issued a statement on October 8 condemning the statements.

Meanwhile, the council yesterday staged a sit-in in the capital's Shahbagh protesting the Cumilla incident.

Rana Dasgupta, general secretary of the council, said, "MPs are being elected with our votes. They get tax free cars because of our votes. But now we are facing threats."

He said the council will announce its next protest programmes if attackers of the Cumilla incident are not arrested in 48 hours.