Sarjis demands Army answer over ‘Nur attack’

Sarjis Alam, chief organiser of the National Citizen Party (NCP) northern unit, has accused the Bangladesh Army over the injury of Gono Odhikar Parishad leader Nurul Haque Nur.

Following the clash between the Jatiya Party and Gono Odhikar Parishad in Dhaka’s Kakrail, Sarjis raised the allegations on his Facebook page.

He said, “I do not see the brutal, bloodied attack on Nur, a key ally in the anti-fascist struggle to oust Hasina, as a routine incident. The Army never takes a single step without orders from above. The Army chief must explain who authorised the attack on Nur.

“We must also find out who within the Army has taken on the mission to protect the Jatiya Party by attacking the president of a political party.”

Sarjis, who led the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, said: “The Awami League agents still embedded in the police must face strict action.

“The Army and police know Nurul Haque Nur well. Yet, they planned and executed this attack on him. Those trying to play dirty politics from behind the scenes will have their hands broken,” he added.

The clash occurred on Friday evening near the Jatiya Party’s central office, as a procession organised by Gono Odhikar Parishad passed by. Both parties’ activists became involved in the confrontation.

Gono Odhikar Parishad’s General Secretary Rashed Khan told bdnews24.com that their torchlight procession was scheduled at 9:30pm to protest the “attack” and demand a ban on the politics of Jatiya Party and Awami League allies.

After completing the march, they attempted to hold a press briefing outside the Gono Odhikar Parishad office, where law enforcers reportedly used batons.

Rashed said Nur was seriously injured in the baton charge and was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), however, said Army personnel became involved in the clash after police “requested support”.

According to the military’s media wing, “All attempts at peaceful resolution were ignored, forcing the Army to use force to control mob violence.”