38 eminent citizens express concern over incidents of grab-attack-extortion across country

38 eminent citizens have expressed deep concern over allegations of terrorist attacks, land and house grabbing and extortion by exerting political influence in different places of the country. They have demanded identification of the involved persons and groups through high-level neutral investigation and bringing them under punishment. At the same time, they have also demanded ensuring overall accountability of the government in these incidents.

They made these demands in a joint statement sent to the media on Tuesday (September 29).

The statement said that incidents of land and house grabbing, grabbing of khas land in chars and attacks on different houses by exerting political and muscle power in different places of the country have been increasing recently. They claimed that concern and panic are being created in the public mind due to these incidents and a tendency of deterioration in the law and order situation is being observed.

Citing reports published in various media, the statement further said that incidents of land and house grabbing, grabbing of khas land in chars and attacks on houses are taking place in different districts of the country in recent times. It was also mentioned that these incidents are sometimes taking place openly and sometimes in the darkness of night.

The statement mentioned the incidents of attack, vandalism and looting at the Radda MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur-1 of the capital; the allegation of land grabbing after attack and vandalism involving several hundred people in Mohammadpur; and the attack, vandalism and looting at content creator Salman Muktadir’s ‘Brownfish Studio’ in the ECB premises.

Besides, the statement also alleged that activities of grabbing land by evicting landless people by exerting political influence are being carried out in Char Bangla of Patuakhali, Bhatirtek and Charfashion of Noakhali Sadar upazila and different chars of Bhola.

It further said that incidents of snatching have also increased in different cities of the country including Dhaka metropolis. Alongside, incidents of child rape and violence against women are also taking place. It was also mentioned that police have identified some areas as risky and advised moving with caution. The 38 citizens are viewing these incidents as an indication of deterioration in the law and order situation.

The statement claimed that influential quarters of various political parties, armed followers of the previous government and a section of the law enforcement agencies are involved with these incidents. However, no result or evidence of any independent investigation regarding these allegations was presented in the statement.

The statement demanded identification of the involved persons and groups as well as their patrons and sponsors at home and abroad through rapid high-level neutral investigation in these incidents and bringing them under punishment.

They also expressed apprehension of the recurrence of a situation like the country going under the control of terrorists at different times in the past. They alleged that police are unable to take measures in time due to the involvement of leaders and activists of different levels of the ruling party with terrorist activities in some areas.

The statement said, “Therefore, along with protesting and condemning these terrorist activities, we want to say in clear language that not only the Ministry of Home Affairs but the government overall has the responsibility of accountability in all these incidents.”

Among the signatories to the statement are former professor of Jahangirnagar University Anu Muhammad, founder chairman of Human Rights and Cultural Foundation Sultana Kamal, coordinator of Nijera Kori Khushi Kabir, member of Naripokkho Shirin Parvin Haque, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, journalist Abu Sayeed Khan, lawyers Z I Khan Panna, Sara Hossain and Subrata Chowdhury.

Besides, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation Shaheen Anam, photographer Shahidul Alam, executive director of ALRD Shamsul Huda, Professor Dr. Samina Luthfa, Professor Dr. Sumaiya Khair, Professor Dr. Giti Ara Nasreen, Professor Dr. Jobaida Nasreen, writer Rehnuma Ahmed, human rights activists Md. Nur Khan and Dipayan Khisa, writer and researcher Pavel Partha and acting general secretary of Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council Manindra Kumar Nath along with many others have signed the statement.