Lefitist politicans condemns ‘mob attack’ on Jasad meeting, demands release of detained leaders

Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Basad) has condemned what it described as a “mob attack” on a Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad) meeting in Dhaka and the subsequent detention of its leaders and activists by police, saying political activities cannot be obstructed through violence.

Basad General Secretary Bazlur Rashid Firoz made the remarks in a statement on Saturday, demanding the immediate release of those detained from Jasad’s office on Bangabandhu Avenue.

“Jasad is not a banned organisation,” Firoz said.

He said police and other law enforcement agencies could take legal action if there were specific allegations or cases against individual Jasad members, but argued that disrupting a political party’s activities through “mob violence and attacks” was contrary to democratic principles.

According to Firoz, Jasad said a pre-scheduled delegates’ meeting at the Colonel Taher Auditorium was first targeted by a mob before police arrived and detained party leaders, activists and others present.

Jasad had sought police permission and security for the meeting and no secret gathering was taking place, he said, citing the party.

Firoz said holding processions, meetings and rallies was a constitutional and democratic right.

He also drew a comparison with practices under the previous government, alleging that political meetings were disrupted and participants arrested after being subjected to various labels.

“People do not expect the same kind of behaviour from the present government,” he said.

Firoz demanded action against those involved in the alleged mob attack and the release of the detainees.

In the same statement, he condemned the attack on the Radda MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur Section 1.

Citing the clinic authorities, Firoz said more than 200 masked people allegedly held security guards hostage before entering the facility and looting medical equipment, medicines, government vaccines, cash and other items.

He demanded the immediate arrest and “exemplary punishment” of those responsible for the Mirpur attack.

Firoz also called for police intervention in democratic movements to be prohibited by law.

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