Nayeb-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and former lawmaker Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has issued the following statement on 20 October, 2020 protesting and condemning the terrorist attack against Nagorik Oikko’s convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna and BNP Chairperson’s Advisor Advocate Taimur Alam Khandaker in Rupganj of Narayanganj district.

A program was arranged on last 19 October in Rupganj of Narayanganj seeking the recovery of BNP Chairperson. Nagorik Oikko’s convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna and BNP Chairperson’s Advisor Advocate Taimur Alam Khandaker were present in the program as the guests. Immediate after the program began, the terrorists attacked the program and vandalized the cars and other vehicles of the opposition leaders. 35 people including Nagorik Oikko’s convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna and BNP Chairperson’s Advisor Advocate Taimur Alam Khandaker got injured in the incident. We are condemning and protesting this attack.

There is no democratic right in the country to practice freedom of expression. The incumbent undemocratic and fascist government is not allowing simply peaceful program like prayer function and clothes distribution events. They are trying to linger their one-party rule. The government is in fear of mass upsurge and as such they cannot tolerate dissident views. No country can function properly in this way.

I am calling upon the concerned authorities to arrest all the miscreants who were involved with the incidents of attacking Nagorik Oikko’s convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna and BNP Chairperson’s Advisor Advocate Taimur Alam Khandaker and also to ensure their stern punishments.