Opposition leader demands action over attack on Akhtaruzzaman’s son

Dr Shafiqur Rahman MP alleges police refusal to register case, calls for arrest of attackers and investigation into possible political protectionMM Rahmatullah: Opposition Leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman MP has demanded immediate registration of a case and the arrest of those involved in an attack on Shahriar Zaman Rana, son of freedom fighter and former lawmaker Major (retd) AkhtaruzzamanHe also called for an investigation into whether a drug gang or politically influential individuals were behind the attack, alleging that the victim's family had failed to get a case registered despite approaching the police twice.Dr Shafiqur Rahman made the demands on Thursday evening (November 5) after visiting Rana, who is undergoing treatment at Ibn Sina Hospital in the capital. Speaking to journalists after the visit, he expressed concern over what he described as the failure of the local administration to take appropriate legal action.According to the Jamaat chief, a group of miscreants armed with locally made weapons attacked Rana and stabbed him. Although he was initially taken to an upazila health complex, he allegedly did not receive the necessary medical attention there.Explaining the possible motive behind the attack, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said Major Akhtaruzzaman had developed a large playground in the area to provide local residents, particularly young people, with opportunities for healthy recreation and sports.However, drug users had allegedly begun gathering at the playground and creating disturbances. Rana had previously warned them against such activities, he said.The opposition leader alleged that the drug users were operating under the protection and patronage of politically connected individuals. He suspected that Rana might have been targeted for protesting against their activities."If this was indeed the reason behind the attack, it is the responsibility of the administration to take immediate action against those involved," he said.Raising questions about the police response, Dr Shafiqur Rahman alleged that Major Akhtaruzzaman had approached the police station twice to file a case, but the complaint had not yet been formally registered.He questioned why the authorities had failed to accept the complaint and whether the administration was standing with the lawbreakers or committed to ensuring justice.He further claimed that assurances given by police officials following communications with them had not been translated into action.As the family had reportedly provided the names and identities of the alleged attackers, he said, there should be no justification for treating the incident merely as an attack by unidentified assailants.The Jamaat Ameer also criticised the alleged involvement of the officer-in-charge (OC) of the concerned police station in the process of drafting the case. He said suggesting that the complaint be written according to the OC's instructions amounted to interference in the normal legal process.Law enforcement officials, he stressed, must themselves demonstrate respect for the law.During the briefing, Dr Shafiqur Rahman also referred to the arrest of Major Akhtaruzzaman following his protest over alleged irregularities and misconduct at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.He said the former lawmaker had protested against alleged corruption, mismanagement and harassment of passengers at the airport. A case was subsequently filed against him on allegations of obstructing government duties and assaulting public officials, leading to his arrest on October 3.The Jamaat chief, however, claimed that Major Akhtaruzzaman had not physically assaulted anyone but had raised his voice in defence of his own rights and those of ordinary passengers, particularly expatriate Bangladeshis.He also criticised the manner in which the former freedom fighter was presented following his arrest, alleging that handcuffs, a protective vest and a helmet were used in a way that undermined his dignity and honour.According to Dr Shafiqur Rahman, Major Akhtaruzzaman's protest had helped expose irregularities in airport baggage management and reduce opportunities for malpractice. He also referred to his own experience of receiving his luggage promptly as an example of the changes he believed had followed the protest.However, he made it clear that they had no confirmed information establishing any connection between Major Akhtaruzzaman's arrest and the attack on his son.He called for an impartial investigation to determine whether the two incidents were linked.The opposition leader demanded that the attackers be arrested and questioned in accordance with the law to establish the motive behind the assault and identify anyone who may have provided them with shelter or political protection.He warned that merely arresting the immediate perpetrators would not be enough if influential individuals operating behind them remained unidentified."Those responsible for the attack must be brought to justice. The people behind them must also be identified through a proper investigation," he said.He added that prompt legal action was essential to prevent such incidents and restore public confidence in law enforcement agencies. Among those present during the hospital visit were Jamaat-e-Islami Central Executive Council member and Dhaka North City unit Ameer Mohammad Selim Uddin, freedom fighter and former lawmaker Major (retd) Akhtaruzzaman, Central Working Committee member Maulana Mahfuzur Rahman, Central Majlish-e-Shura member Ataur Rahman Sarker and Advocate Alauddin Sohel, along with other party leaders.