Attack on CPB Procession in Purana Paltan: Two Leaders Beaten, Attackers Stay an Hour Outside Party Office

A procession of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) came under attack in the capital's Purana Paltan area over allegations that 'Joy Bangla' slogans were chanted during it. CPB leaders said the attack was carried out by people identifying themselves as leaders and activists of Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal.

CPB leaders and activists brought out the protest procession after the release of former Chhatra Union president Dipak Shil, who had been detained while joining a human chain in Dhaka's Dhanmondi protesting obstruction of women baul artists singing in Sunamganj.

The attack began at around 10pm on Monday. The attackers then stayed for about an hour in front of the CPB central office in Purana Paltan, chanting various slogans. During that time they also beat two CPB leaders and activists. Police later came and rescued them, it was learned.

Visiting the scene at around 11:30pm, police were seen positioned in front of the CPB central office. Several CPB leaders and activists were also standing nearby.

CPB leaders said that after Dipak Shil's release, their procession with him started from in front of the party's central office and ended at Paltan intersection. A short rally was then being held there.

At the rally, slogans of 'Joy Bangla, Joy Samajtantra' were chanted. At that time, 40 to 50 people identifying themselves as Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal objected to the 'Joy Bangla' slogan. An argument broke out between them.

At one stage, the people identifying themselves as Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal leaders and activists chanted that the Awami League would have no address in this Bengal. After this continued for a while, they beat two CPB leaders and activists, CPB leaders said.

CPB leaders and activists further said that after the beating, they came from Paltan intersection to in front of their central office. There too, chase and counter-chase took place between the two sides for a while. The Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal people then took position in front of the office. They left after 11pm.

CPB presidium member Jolly Talukdar said the CPB was attacked even though it played a role in the July mass uprising. The government must control its own people, she said, questioning how they could carry out an attack in front of a political party's office.

Jolly Talukdar alleged that after the attack, police detained CPB members Iran Molla and Sohel Fakir.

However, Paltan police station Officer-in-Charge Ariful Alam denied the detention claim. He said that after Dipak Shil's release, 15 to 20 people brought out a procession in the Paltan area. Some local people alleged that 'Joy Bangla' slogans were chanted in that procession. An altercation followed. The OC said the CPB office was not vandalised and no one was detained.