Freedom fighter in Chauddagram was insulted and threatened to leave the area

A freedom fighter was humiliated by wearing a shoelace around his neck in Chauddagram, Comilla. The incident took place in front of the Kuliara Government Primary School in Batisa Union of Chauddagram Upazila on Sunday afternoon. The video of the incident went viral on Facebook later that night.

The victim, the freedom fighter, is named Abdul Hai alias Kanu (78). He is a resident of Ludiara village next to the incident. Abdul Hai is a member of the Krishak League Central Committee and former vice-president of the same organization’s Comilla South District. His family alleges that the perpetrators are all leaders and activists of the local Jamaat-Shibir. Abdul Hai has been threatened to leave the area.

When asked about this, Upazila Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Mahfuzur Rahman said at around 11:30 pm yesterday, “The OC informed me about the matter a while ago. It is unacceptable to insult a brave freedom fighter like this. We are investigating the incident. If any leader or worker of Jamaat and Shibir is involved in this incident, we will definitely take organizational action.”

According to local sources, Abdul Hai was a victim of torture despite being in Awami League politics. He had been out of the area for the past eight years because he did not support former Chauddagram MP and former Railway Minister Mujibul Haque. Mujibul’s people attacked his house several times. He recently went home. A group of people detained him after he left his house yesterday afternoon. Then he was taken to the Kuliara Government Primary School grounds. There, he was humiliated by putting a chain of shoes around his neck. The perpetrators of the incident recorded a video of the incident and spread it on Facebook.

In a 1-minute and 46-second video circulating on Facebook, two men are seen dragging the freedom fighter while wearing a shoe garland. Only one of the people who insulted him recorded the entire incident. During this time, the freedom fighter repeatedly begged him to let him go.

Abdul Hai fell ill after this incident. He is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Feni. While undergoing treatment at the hospital around 11:15 pm yesterday, he said, “I don’t have much to say. We liberated the country for the freedom of the people, but we have not yet received the benefits of independence. I could not come home for eight years because I spoke against the irregularities, oppression and corruption of former Awami League MP Mujibul Haque of Chauddagram. My house was attacked. At present, I thought that I would at least be able to sleep at home. It seems that hope will not be fulfilled. So for whom did we liberate the country? Certainly not to wear a shoe garland like this.”

I have called the OC of Chauddagram police station at least five times since the incident. He picked up the call once, but did not take any action. Then when I called again, he did not pick up. Sayed Golam Mostafa Bhuiyan, son of the victim freedom fighter

Abdul Hai’s son Golam Mostafa Bhuiyan told Prothom Alo, “All the attackers were identified leaders and activists of the local Jamaat and Shibir. There were more than 20 of them. Some of the leaders among them were Abul Hashem, Ahidur Rahman, Peyar Ahmed, Russell, Shahid, Emran Hossain, Farhan Hossain, Kamran Hossain from Kuliyara village. A brave freedom fighter was insulted like this, who will I seek justice from as the son of a brave freedom fighter?” Golam Mostafa Bhuiyan complained, “I have called the OC of Chauddagram police station at least five times since the incident. He picked up the call once, but did not take any action. After that, when I called again, he did not pick up. Where the OC does not pick up the call, from whom should we seek legal assistance?’

In this regard, Chauddagram Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) ATM Akhter Uz Zaman told Prothom Alo reporter, ‘I have spoken to the brave freedom fighter twice after watching the video. He is not willing to file any complaint. He says, “If I file a complaint, I will not be able to stay in the area, I do not want to put you in trouble either.” However, we are trying to collect the names and addresses of the people involved in this incident. Legal action will be taken against the people involved.’

News source: the Daily Prothom Alo, 23 December 2024, 11:23