Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has termed the attack on Inqilab Mancha spokesperson and Dhaka-8’s prospective independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi as “a deliberate assault on Bangladesh’s democratic journey” and “an attack on the country’s very existence.”
He made the remarks on Friday during an emergency meeting at the state guesthouse Jamuna with members of the Advisory Council and senior officials of law enforcement, the armed forces and intelligence agencies, according to release by CA’s press wing.
Among those present were Law Adviser Asif Nazrul, Home Adviser Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Local Government Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, Culture Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, and the Chief Adviser’s special assistants Md Khoda Baksh Chowdhury, Md Sayedur Rahman and Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb.
Calling the attack one of the most troubling incidents during the tenure of the interim government, Yunus said it reflected the “audacity of defeated forces to challenge the country’s existence”.
“We will thwart any such attempt at any cost. No assault by these evil forces on the nation will be tolerated,” he said.
The chief adviser said the attack was part of a wider conspiracy to derail the upcoming national election and the referendum. “Under no circumstances will we allow such a conspiracy to succeed. Whatever blows may come, no force will be able to disrupt the upcoming election.”
He said the government, together with the people, would ensure a peaceful election.
During the meeting, Special Assistant Sayedur Rahman reported that Hadi’s condition is extremely critical and that he had been moved to Evercare Hospital at the family’s request.
Yunus instructed authorities to arrest those involved in the attack and those who planned it “as quickly as possible.” He also called on the nation to pray for Hadi’s recovery.
Police officials briefed the meeting, saying CCTV footage and other evidence from the attack site had already been collected.
Issuing directives for immediate border reinforcement, the chief adviser ordered that the attackers must be prevented from leaving the country “under any circumstances.”
He further said individuals who could become potential targets due to their involvement in July Uprising must be given special security consideration.
The meeting decided to introduce a special hotline within the next few days to enable quick action against any untoward incidents during the election period. It also resolved to intensify operations to recover illegal weapons and conduct raids at suspected hideouts.
The chief adviser will soon hold discussions with key political leaders about the evolving situation, the meeting was told.
