Former adviser to interim government and spokesperson for NCP, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, has criticised the recent cleaning activities at the vandalised Radda MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur, saying those who occupied the facility have now come forward to clean it.
Asif, who is also the mayoral candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation, inspected the damaged sections of the health centre on Monday following an attack, vandalism and looting.
Speaking during the visit, he said he had visited the centre around 11am the previous day to remove a signboard put up by the occupiers, after which different government bodies became aware of the issue.
Criticising the subsequent cleaning activities, Asif said the situation was like “being bitten by a snake first and then trying to treat the bite”, adding that those responsible for occupying the clinic had now arrived to clean it.
“I cannot applaud this action. Occupation has taken place in thousands of places, including Mohammadpur,” he said.
He added that if all occupied sites across the country were vacated, the NCP would hold a formal press conference to thank the government.
Regarding future development of the Radda Clinic site, he said the entire building, even if a 10-storey structure is constructed, must be allocated to the clinic.
“There cannot be a situation where two floors are given to Radda Clinic and the rest is turned into a commercial market,” he said.
Describing Radda Clinic as a symbol of public resistance, Asif said the facility was reclaimed through protests by ordinary citizens and the active role of the media.
He demanded a proper assessment of the damage, followed by government-led renovation and reconstruction. He also called for full compensation for stolen medical equipment and vaccines and strict punishment for everyone involved in the attack.
Asif said around 200 people had attacked the centre openly for three hours, adding that arresting only two or three individuals would not be enough.
He said the resistance at Radda Clinic would encourage people facing land grabbing elsewhere in the country to raise their voices.
The NCP spokesperson said the party would stand beside victims of land grabbing and work to ensure public healthcare services.
Several NCP leaders were present during the visit, including Ariful Islam Adib, Senior Joint Convenor of NCP and Convenor of Dhaka Metropolitan North; Wahid Alam, Joint Convenor of NCP; Engineer Farhad Sohel, Central General Secretary of Jatiya Juba Shakti; and Rifat Rashid, Organisational Secretary of Jatiya Juba Shakti.
Senior leaders of Dhaka Metropolitan Jatiya Juba Shakti, Advocate Ashik Mulla, Convenor of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti Dhaka Metropolitan North; Muhtasim Fuad, Member Secretary of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti Dhaka Metropolitan North; Tanim Wahid, a leader of Metropolitan North Chhatra Shakti; and leaders and activists from different units were also present.
