BNP leader accused of assaulting July fighters in Shariatpur

A July fighter and a former leader of the Anti Discrimination Student Movement were allegedly assaulted at an event held in Shariatpur to mark July Mass Uprising Day. The allegation has been raised against Mahbub Morshed Tipu Madbar, general secretary of Sadar Upazila BNP.

The incident took place around 10:30 am Wednesday at the Shariatpur Municipality Auditorium. The district administration was organizing a reception for the families of martyrs and July fighters. July fighter Zakir Hossain Mintu, known as Ador, and former convener of the Anti Discrimination Student Movement Imran Al Nazir were allegedly harassed and assaulted at the event. A video of the incident has circulated on Facebook.

The video shows BNP leader Mahbub assaulting Zakir Hossain and Imran Al Nazir and forcing them out of the event while it was underway.

Zakir said, “They started creating a commotion even before we went to the reception. They said there were no July fighters in Shariatpur. They said no movement had taken place here. Later, when I entered, they saw me and said, ‘Who are you?’ Saying this, they attacked me. They beat me and forced me out. I was injured in the head.”

Former Anti Discrimination Student Movement leader Imran said, “We came to the state program at the invitation of the district administration. As soon as we arrived, several BNP leaders and activists, including Sadar Upazila BNP General Secretary Tipu Madbar, beat us and forced us out of the event. We saw the administration remaining silent. They took no action. The administration does not belong to BNP. We have left the matter to Allah for justice.”

BNP leaders and activists denied the allegations of assault. They said the two men had made derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his daughter Zaima Rahman. They said an argument broke out over the remarks, and the two men were eventually removed from the event.

Upazila BNP leader Mahbub Morshed said, “The biggest contribution to August 5 came from BNP. The Jamaat Amir himself has acknowledged that the July movement took place under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. Imran Al Nazir and NCP leaders and activists in Shariatpur regularly write about Tarique Rahman’s family. They made derogatory remarks about them today as well. An argument broke out with them when we protested against it.”

Additional Superintendent of Police Md. Tanvir Hossain declined to comment on the matter.

District Commissioner Tahsina Begum said, “No incident occurred during the event. It may have happened before that. We peacefully concluded the entire program with all the July fighters. I am not yet aware of this matter. I will be able to comment after learning about the entire incident.”