Four detained from Dhanmondi 32, security tightened

Law enforcement agencies have tightened security around the Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi 32 in the capital ahead of the martyrdom anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Four people were detained till Saturday afternoon.

A Jubo League activist named Arnab Das, 38, from Tangail, was detained by police while coming to pay tribute. Another Jubo League activist, Nipu Mia, 30, who came posing as a journalist, was also detained. Two others were also held. All four were sent to Dhanmondi Police Station.

Meanwhile, several youths identifying themselves as 'July fighters' who came to create mobs fled after facing protests from journalists and the public.

Earlier, on August 5, 2024, agitated students and the public set fire to, vandalised and looted the Bangabandhu Bhaban. From 4pm that day, nearly all historical relics of the brutal August 15, 1975 massacre inside the building were destroyed. Rare Liberation War memorabilia, books, documents and valuable items were either burned or looted.

Additionally, three other multi-storey buildings used as offices of the Bangabandhu Memorial Trust were vandalised. That day, the bust of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, stalls selling books and memorabilia, and other structures on the open ground adjacent to Dhanmondi Lake in front of the Bhaban were also destroyed. Santu's Restaurant, a privately-owned establishment adjacent to the Bhaban, was also vandalised and set on fire.

Several cars parked in front of nearby buildings were also torched. The following morning, firefighters recovered at least four charred bodies from the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, surrounding buildings and Santu's Restaurant while trying to extinguish the fire.

On the night of February 5 last year, during the interim government, another round of vandalism, arson and looting took place at the Bangabandhu Bhaban. At that time, excavators, cranes and bulldozers were brought in to demolish the remaining parts of the Bhaban and three other buildings in front and behind, as well as the tall front wall and iron gates. For the next three to four days, hammering and looting continued there.