National Citizen Party (NCP) has demanded the identification, arrest, and prosecution of individuals involved in the mob lynching of Wahiduzzaman Shamim in Satkhira over allegations of hurting religious sentiments.
In a press release issued on Thursday, the party condemned the incident, and said no individual or group has the right to judge any allegation, as ensuring justice is the responsibility of the state and the legal justice system.
According to the release, tension erupted in Debhata upazilla on 13 October after an audio clip containing allegations of hurting religious sentiments against Shamim was circulated on social media.
He was subsequently beaten, but police rescued him following a call to the 999 emergency hotline and admitted him to Debhata Upazila Health Complex. Later that night, a group of people entered the hospital and attacked him again while he was undergoing treatment, leading to his death.
The NCP alleged that a man named Qari Fazlul Huq Amini led the second attack from the front, assisted by Sadikul Islam, a local Jubo Dal activist, and Mohammad Najmul, convener of Government Khan Bahadur Ahsanullah College Chhatra Dal.
The press release did not mention any statements from the accused individuals regarding these allegations.
The party raised questions over how an attack could occur inside a hospital on a person receiving medical care after being rescued by police, demanding an investigation into what measures the authorities took to ensure his security.
It also noted that while allegations of hurting religious sentiments are serious, they must be legally investigated and tried, adding that beating someone to death without verifying the truth or allowing an opportunity for self-defence is unacceptable.
Citing the victim’s family, the NCP said Shamim was mentally ill and undergoing medical treatment. The party demanded an investigation into the authenticity and source of the audio clip, the context of the statements, and his physical and mental condition.
Moreover, the NCP called for the arrest of those involved in both rounds of attacks, a probe into security failures and potential negligence or collusion at the hospital, an investigation into social media incitement, and the provision of security and legal assistance for the family of the deceased.
It added that protecting religious sentiments and safeguarding human lives and legal rights are dual responsibilities of the state, and no one has the right to take the law into their own hands.
