National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam has condemned the overnight demolition and alleged looting of the Radda MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur, saying the incident exposed the fragile state of law and order in the capital.
“A country cannot function this way,” Nahid said in a statement, criticising law enforcement agencies for what he described as their “silent and inactive” role while the facility was vandalised and looted through the night.
The Radda MCH-FP Centre had provided maternal and child healthcare and vaccination services for about 50 years.
Nahid said the demolition and alleged takeover of a healthcare facility in the heart of Dhaka had raised questions among the public over whether the government was capable of enforcing the law.
Local residents have alleged that Ferdousi Ahmed Mishti, a BNP lawmaker from a reserved women's seat, and an influential leader of the BNP's Dhaka North unit were behind the demolition and takeover, according to Nahid.
The allegations have not been independently verified by Daily Waadaa. The statement did not include responses from Mishti, the unnamed BNP leader or law enforcement agencies.
Nahid also criticised the home minister, accusing him of remaining effectively inactive despite what he described as a continuing deterioration in law and order.
He demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of everyone involved in the alleged vandalism and looting.
Nahid also called for investigators to identify those who planned or instigated the incident and bring them under the law.
“Every person involved in the vandalism and looting at the Radda MCH-FP Centre must be arrested immediately and brought to justice,” Nahid said, calling for “exemplary punishment” for those found guilty.
--