Three detained over attack and vandalism at Salman’s studio
Salman Muqtadir at the vandalized studio. Photo: Taken from video
Three people have been detained by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) in connection with an attack and vandalism at New Gini Properties in the capital’s ECB Chattar and YouTuber Salman Muqtadir’s studio. They were detained from the scene around midnight on Saturday. Police did not initially disclose their identities.
Gias Uddin, officer in charge (OC) of Cantonment Police Station, confirmed the detention of the three people on Sunday morning.
Gias Uddin said, “A case is in the process of being filed over the attack and vandalism. We detained three people from the scene. They are being questioned.”
The OC further said the attack and vandalism did not only take place at content creator Salman Muqtadir’s studio. Many things at New Gini Properties were also vandalized. Police are working on the matter. Operations to detain those involved are ongoing.
When asked about the incident, Nazmul Haque, assistant police commissioner of the Cantonment Zone under DMP’s Gulshan Division, said, “New Gini Properties is located there. There are two sides involved there. Salman Muqtadir’s studio got caught in the middle of the dispute between these two sides.”
In a Facebook Live on Saturday, Salman said a large amount of client footage and shooting equipment was kept at the studio. He said losing those items had caused financial losses as well as major problems for his work.
Showing the extensive damage to his studio, Salman said, “Our studio has been destroyed.”
He claimed that there are very few such studios in the country for creative work and arts and culture. He said the destruction of his studio had caused broader losses.
Accusing people affiliated with the BNP of being involved in the attack, Salman said, “The BNP people who are doing this, this is your extortion. Why are you destroying my dream?”
However, no statement from any relevant BNP leader or activist could be obtained regarding Salman’s allegation.
Salman said he would not stop working despite the attack. He said, “You guys relax. This is nothing. We will work here.”
Salman said the studio was not just a business establishment for him. He said the studio was connected to employment opportunities for many young people as well as creative work. Therefore, despite the damage caused to the studio in the attack, he does not want to stop.
In his words, “I will not stop. I will continue my passion. If I cannot do it from the country, I will continue from outside the country.”
Salman Muqtadir also said he would file a case over the attack. However, the filing of the case had not been officially confirmed as of the time of writing this report. The exact extent of the damage and the identities of those involved in the attack have also not been confirmed by law enforcement agencies.
