A young man was apprehended by locals and handed over to the police for tearing down a banner during a protest programme in Narayanganj demanding justice for the recent attacks on Bauls.
The incident occurred around 3pm on Sunday in the city’s Chashara Central Shaheed Minar.
The detained youth is Sunny Islam (22), currently residing in North Chashara of Narayanganj Sadar.
Immediately after the incident, police personnel took position around the Shaheed Minar area, and street vendors were removed. At around 4:15pm, a demonstration, organised by Baul artistes and Oli-Aulias (spiritual leaders and devotees), began in the area, protesting the attacks on shrines (mazars) and the attacks on Bauls.
Among those present at the event were Rafiur Rabbi, adviser to the Narayanganj Cultural Alliance; Tarikul Sujan, district coordinator of the Ganosamhati Andolon; Moni Supanth, president of the Cultural Alliance; Dina Tajrin, general secretary; Dheeman Saha Jewel, district president of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN), Baul artists Yunus Bhandari, Chan Mia, Fakir Shah Jalal, and many others.
The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Narayanganj Sadar Police Station, Nasir Ahmed, stated that they are prepared to avoid any tense situation that may arise due to the detention of Sunny Islam and that members of RAB-11 have also been deployed to ensure security at the venue of the protest.
