The Left Democratic Alliance (LDA) has condemned the attack on preparations for Bengali New Year celebrations at Chattogram’s DC Hill, calling it a “pre-planned” assault and holding both the district administration and law enforcement agencies responsible.
LDA leaders staged a protest at CRB in Chattogram on Monday, demanding justice for those behind Sunday’s attack.
“The administration has entirely failed to control the situation,” said Nurussafa Bhuiyan, general secretary of the Chattogram unit of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB).
He called for an urgent investigation to determine whether a particular group, possibly with support from the administration, orchestrated the attack.
Bhuiyan also criticised the authorities’ decision to cancel the DC Hill New Year celebration instead of ensuring security. “It is condemnable and appears to be a malicious act,” he said.
On Sunday, the Sammilito Pohela Boishakh Udjapon Parishad, the organisers of Chattogram’s traditional Bengali New Year celebrations, announced the cancellation of their event after attackers vandalised the stage.
“We organisers have decided not to proceed with the programme following the attack,” said Sucharit Das Khokon, the council’s coordinator.
He added, “The attack and the administration’s lack of cooperation led us to this decision.”
Al Qaderi Joy, a leader of the Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Bangladesh Socialist Party), stated that by supporting miscreants, society is enabling attacks on progressive, democratic, and cultural forces.
“Those involved in mob violence, degrading women, and vandalising murals and sculptures are going unpunished, while the instigators stay hidden,” he said.
Joy also criticised the renaming of “Mongol Shobhajatra” to “Barshabaran Ananda Shobhajatra” and the burning of Pohela Boishakh symbols, calling it a “warning sign” for the survival of Bengali culture.
