Citizen group concerned at attack on Mahmudur

The Committee for the Protection of Fundamental Rights yesterday expressed deep concern, frustration and resentment over the attack on Amar Desh acting editor Mahmudur Rahman, allegedly by Chhatra League men on the court premises in Kushtia.

In a statement, the platform demanded arrest and proper punishment of the attackers.

While seeking bail in a defamation case on Sunday, Mahmudur was confined for hours on the court premises in presence of police. When he attempted to leave by his personal car on assurance of police, he was attacked several times and injured, it said.

It also said the incident put into question the legal safeguard and security of the general people, especially those having dissenting opinions.

It is to be noted that the number of defamation, sedition and other cases filed under ICT act by the government and its loyalists have increased lately, the statement said.

"We are aware of the allegations of several controversial activities of Mahmudur Rahman. And there is a way for deciding his offence and punishment through fair trial," it said, adding that he went to the surrender before the court.

In this situation, such an attack on him is tantamount to severe violation of human rights, it said, adding, "We strongly condemn the attack."

"We think the judiciary has the scope to play suo moto role with regard to the severe violation of human rights offenses," the platform said.

Supreme Court lawyer Shahdeen Malik, Dhaka University Prof Asif Nazrul, Barrister Sara Hossain, Professor CR Abrar of the international relations department at the University of Dhaka, Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua, rights activist Nur Khan and public health specialist Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, are among the sixteen people who made the statement on behalf of the platform.

Known as a pro-BNP-Jamaat intellectual, Mahmudur Rahman came under attack when he was coming out of a Kushtia court room after getting permanent bail in a defamation case filed by the district unit BCL President Yasir Arafat on December 10, 2107.

ATTACKERS ARE BNP-SHIBIR MEN: BCL

Yasir Arafat, president of Kushtia Chhatra League, yesterday denied that they attacked Mahmudur and he demanded justice through a fair investigation.

At a press conference at a hotel in the district town, he blamed local BNP and Jamaat activists, as well as common people, for the attack, claiming that no BCL men were present during the attack.

“It will be clear who the attackers are if they are identified through a fair investigation. We have already talked to the local administration to find out the attackers,” Arafat said.

Mahmudur claimed Tushar and other BCL activists had launched the attack.

Arafat said, "As a plaintiff, I went to the court area, along with my followers, and left the place by 3:00pm without creating any disturbance," he claimed.

He said that the attack began around 4:30pm when he was not there.

“There were some people wearing masks. And you (journalist) know who wear such masks. Chhatra League men never wear masks; it's the militants who do this,” he said.

BCL General Secretary Sa'ad Ahmed claimed that a conflict between former district unit BNP president Shahidul Islam and incumbent president Syed Mehedi Ahmed Rumi may have led to the attack.