At least 3 assaulted at Dhanmondi 32 by mob led by SDF member secretary Ayas

A group of young men identifying themselves as 'July fighters' led by State Dialogue Forum (SDF) Member Secretary A N M Ayas has been accused of assaulting several people at Dhanmondi 32 in the capital on Saturday.

At least three people were beaten for shouting 'Joy Bangla' slogans, recording videos on mobile phones and distributing savoury snacks in front of the demolished house of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Police arrested two individuals in connection with the incidents.

Eyewitnesses said a group led by A N M Ayas had been positioned at the entrance of Dhanmondi 32 road since morning, identifying themselves as 'July fighters'. Despite the presence of law enforcement, several people were assaulted.

Around 11:45am, a rickshaw puller was filming with his mobile phone at the entrance. Ayas examined the phone and accused him of sending the video to a Jubo League member, after which his associates beat the rickshaw puller. Police later arrested him and took him to Dhanmondi Police Station.

Eyewitnesses said the rickshaw puller was beaten again when his phone was found to contain a picture of Bangabandhu. The rickshaw puller claimed he was not a political worker and had come to pay tribute to Bangabandhu out of love.

Another person present shouted 'Joy Bangla' and was also beaten, later fleeing the scene. Another person was beaten around noon for distributing savoury snacks on the martyrdom anniversary of Bangabandhu.

Footage from the scene shows A N M Ayas hitting several people with a broom. Ayas told journalists they were present to prevent any 'mischief' by leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and Jubo League, claiming they were handing over anyone found to police.

Ayas denied creating a mob to beat people, claiming they were not assaulting anyone but handing over AL/Jubo League members to police. Earlier, police arrested Arnab Das, 37, who had come to pay tribute at Dhanmondi 32.

Dhanmondi Police Station OC Muhammad Imdadul Islam said Arnab Das was a member of the banned Jubo League and was being interrogated.

Heavy police presence was deployed at Dhanmondi 32 from morning, with barricades and restricted traffic movement to control the situation. Dhanmondi zone Assistant Police Commissioner Saddam Hossain said adequate police were deployed to maintain peace.

Earlier, A N M Ayas had been criticised for similar mob incidents, including an assault on a woman named Farzana Shanta for allegedly 'insulting July'.