Locals allege that a group led by Chhatra Dal leaders Sangram and Papon attacked the NCP leader and vandalised his vehicle during his visit to the shrine.
Photo: TBS
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Photo: TBS
National Citizen Party Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary was attacked and his car vandalised while visiting the shrine of Lalon Shah in Kumarkhali of Kushtia this evening (4 October).
The incident took place around 6:30pm at Lalon Shah’s shrine at Chheuriya area of Kumarkhali upazila.
Locals and eyewitnesses alleged that a group of people led by Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatradal leaders Sangram and Papon suddenly attacked Patwari and threw eggs at him.
According to locals and eyewitnesses, Patwari entered the shrine with his entourage around 6:30pm. After visiting the shrine, he went to the area where Lalon singers perform when a group of people suddenly began throwing eggs at him.
Photo: TBS
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Photo: TBS
At one point, the group attacked him and vandalised his car parked outside the shrine, they said.
As the situation became tense, several locals intervened and took Patwari to safety inside the shrine premises.
Police from Kumarkhali police station later arrived at the scene.
Locals said police were present near the main gate of the shrine when the incident took place.
However, Kumarkhali police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Jamal Uddin said, “We did not know that he was coming to Lalon Shah’s shrine. If we had been informed, we could have arranged police protection.”
Attempts to contact Kushtia Superintendent of Police (SP) Aminul Islam by phone several times went unanswered.
Several attempts were made to contact district Chatradal Member Secretary Nishad Ahmed for comment, but he repeatedly declined the calls.
However, newly appointed district Jubo Dal Organising Secretary and former district Chatradal convener Mozakkir Rahman Rabbi told TBS, “Chatradal does not believe in mob culture. No leader or activist of Chhatra Dal was involved in the incident.”
Earlier, Patwari had visited Rabindranath Tagore’s Kuthibari in Shilaidaha of Kumarkhali, before travelling to Lalon Shah’s shrine.
Abu Talha, member secretary of the Kushtia district committee of the NCP, alleged that the attack was premeditated.
“After visiting Kuthibari, Nasiruddin Patwari came to Lalon Shah’s shrine. He was attacked in a pre-planned manner under the leadership of Chhatra Dal leaders Sangram and Papon. The attack and vandalism took place in the presence of police. We believe this was certainly premeditated,” he said.
It was not immediately clear whether a case had been filed over the attack or whether police had taken any action against those accused.
Lalon Shah’s 135th death anniversary is scheduled to be observed through a three-day programme from 17 October.
The attack on a guest and vandalism of his vehicle in the presence of police, just days before the event, have raised concerns among local residents.
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