Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Assistant Secretary General and Head of its Central Publicity and Media Department, Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair today, 16 January, issued a statement strongly condemning and protesting the brutal incident in which local Jamaat leader Alamgir Sheikh was severely injured after being mercilessly beaten with hammers and sharp weapons. The incident took place in the Kadamtali area of Talma Union under Nagarkanda Upazila of Faridpur district.

In the statement, he said: “Last Wednesday (14 January) at around 9:00 pm, this barbaric attack was carried out in a premeditated manner. The attackers attempted to force him to vote for a particular symbol, and when he expressed his inability to do so, they launched a terrorist-style attack. Such political terrorism and blatant assaults on freedom of expression pose a grave threat to democracy.

He further stated, “I want to say clearly that attempting to kill or seriously injure someone due to differing political opinions or positions is in no way acceptable. This is a gross violation of human rights and the rule of law. I strongly demand that the concerned law enforcement agencies swiftly arrest those terrorists involved in the attack and ensure exemplary punishment.”

“At the same time, I pray for the speedy recovery of our injured brother Alamgir Sheikh and express my deep sympathy to his family. I call upon the people of the country to stand united against political violence, terrorism, and coercion in the name of voting.”