In the wake of recent unrest in Bangladesh, a press briefing by United Nations Human Rights (UNHR) portrayed a one-sided and distorted picture of the events by attributing a series of violent incidents to the ruling government. However, a comprehensive examination of the situation that incorporates multiple sources and eyewitness accounts reveals a more complex and nuanced comprehension of the recent upheaval.
The initial press briefing expressed concern regarding a string of violent incidents that occurred during ongoing protests in Bangladesh, attributing the violence to the governing government. It highlighted the deaths of eleven individuals, including police officers, opposition party employees, and bystanders, as a result of the disturbances. The briefing also implicated the police in alleged attacks on demonstrators and indiscriminate arrests and detentions of opposition activists. In addition, the report urged the government to exercise restraint and protect human rights.
What is the real number of deaths?
Reports from various sources, such as the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and prominent media outlets, contradict the claims made in the press briefing of UNHR. Contrary to the claims made in the briefing, the actual number of casualties in the recent unrest in Bangladesh is five, with the fatalities occurring due to the brutality of the opposition party. These casualties include-
- A heroic police constable, Atiur Rahman Parvez, who lost his life during the violence that erupted in Nayapaltan. He lost his life while bravely confronting the unruly demonstrators, shedding light on the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers in maintaining public safety.
- Journalist Rafiq Bhuiya tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during the clashes, emphasizing the risks faced by media personnel while covering such volatile situations. His untimely demise highlights the dangers faced by journalists in the line of duty, seeking to provide accurate and timely information to the public.
- Another individual, Shamim, reportedly passed away during the clashes, with conflicting reports suggesting differing accounts of his identity and the circumstances of his death. While some claimed he was a ward-level leader of Jubo Dal, his authorized identity reveals that he was a civilian and a driver by profession who suffered a heart attack during the chaos.
- The Swechasebak League leader, Jahangir Alam, tragically lost his life amid BNP’s chaos in Lalmonirhat’s Sadar upazila, underlining the profound impact of political conflicts on individuals affiliated with different political factions.
- Moreover, the recent arson attack by BNP Jamaat on a bus belonging to Achim Paribahan in Dhaka’s Demra area resulted in the unfortunate death of the bus’s helper and left its driver injured. This violent act serves as a poignant reminder of the indiscriminate nature of the unrest, leading to the harm of innocent individuals and further exacerbating tensions within the community.
Who had actually attacked the journalists?
Contrary to the claims made in the press briefing, it is essential to note that the available evidence and firsthand accounts from reputable correspondents refute the claim that the attacks were carried out by masked individuals allegedly affiliated with the ruling party. The reality of the situation, as documented by numerous media outlets and on-scene journalists, indicates to the direct participation of BNP activists in the violence and assaults that occurred.
The injuries sustained by numerous journalists, including Mahmud Hossain Opu, Salehkin Tarin, Rafsan Jonny, Kazi Ihsan Bin Didar, Sheikh Nasir, Habib Sabuj, FM Masum, and others, were a result of targeted attacks by the BNP activists during the confrontations with law enforcement in the Kakrail area. These assaults were carried out openly and brazenly by BNP activists, as evidenced by the accounts of the journalists and their visible injuries.
In addition, it is essential to note that no credible evidence has surfaced to support the claim that masked individuals with ties to the ruling party were involved in the attacks. Leading newspapers’ video footage and photographs depict BNP leaders and adherents engaging in violent activities and targeting law enforcement officers and journalists.
The attempt to shift blame onto masked members of the ruling party is unsupported by factual evidence and serves to deflect from the BNP’s active role in inciting violence and targeting journalists. Numerous accounts and media reports demonstrate that it is crucial to acknowledge the BNP’s culpability for the assaults and hold them accountable for their actions during the protests.
Kalbela reporter Rafsan Jani said: “I was performing my duties at Nightingale intersection. I was near Bangla Tribune’s Chief Reporter Salman Tarik Shakil. At that time, I saw some miscreants chasing two policemen and one Ansar member towards Kakrail and beating them. As I was recording a video standing on the road divider, two or three people came from the side and started chasing me.
“They were shouting ‘journalist’ and physically assaulting me. They use batons, sticks and other objects to beat me. There was no way to escape. When I reached the DIG office, they stopped chasing me,” he added.
“Upon arriving there, I received assistance from Gazi TV journalists. I informed the office, and then my colleagues brought me to Dhaka Medical College,” he added.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
In the wake of these reprehensible acts, several prominent organizations and forums, including the Bangladesh Editors’ Forum, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists, Jagannath University Reporters Forum, Justice for Journalist, and other journalist associations have vehemently condemned the violent assaults on media workers and have called for immediate action to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice. According to various journalist associations, at least 30 media workers were grievously injured during the BNP’s gathering in the capital. The assault included the destruction of cameras, the theft of mobile phones, and the barbaric assault of journalists who were performing their duties with diligence.
In addition, the forums have voiced concern over the BNP’s decision to boycott certain media outlets, emphasizing the importance of maintaining transparency and defending the principles of a free and independent press in a democratic society.
Chief Justice’s resident was attacked by BNP activists
The briefing failed to recognize the premeditated nature of the violence instigated by opposition groups during a planned rally, which resulted in attacks on the residence of the Chief Justice and other public and private property. According to eyewitness accounts and reports from the scene, these incidents were purportedly perpetrated by BNP-Jamaat activists. The assailants reportedly resorted to vandalism and aggression, posing a direct threat to the safety and security of the judiciary. Not only do such actions pose a threat to individual judges, but they also undermine the fundamental principles of the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, which are essential to the functioning of a democratic society.
The briefing also ignored the lack of substantial evidence to support allegations of indiscriminate arrests and raids on the residences of opposition activists, calling into question the veracity and motivations of such claims. It failed to recognize the difficult conditions encountered by law enforcement officers, who were required to respond to the unrelenting aggression of opposition groups while attempting to maintain public safety.
BNP activists attacked the law enforcements at first
Throughout the protests, law enforcement officers confronted brutal attacks and sustained injuries as a result of the violent confrontations initiated by the BNP and its affiliated groups. Several police officers sustained severe injuries in the course of duty, according to reports.
According to the testimony of eyewitnesses, the confrontations in the Kakrail region began when BNP activists provoked altercations with the police by using physical force and hurling stones at the law enforcement officers. These initial provocations were exacerbated by the BNP’s refusal to comply with directives and their persistent efforts to obstruct law enforcement’s efforts to maintain order. The BNP activists, armed with sticks and other improvised weapons, engaged in a sustained assault on the police, forcing the law enforcement officers to use water cannons and sound devices to disperse the aggressive crowd. The escalation of violence was directly attributable to the BNP’s unremitting and coordinated assaults on the police, as they disregarded lawful orders and engaged in illegal and provocative behavior.
The clashes between BNP activists and law enforcement officers resulted in numerous police injuries. The BNP’s aggressive tactics, including the use of sticks, stones, and other makeshift weapons, resulted in law enforcement officers being outnumbered and overwhelmed, with many sustaining injuries during the confrontations. Furthermore, the deliberate targeting of the police by the BNP and its supporters exacerbated the situation, resulting in a significant number of injured law enforcement officers, some of whom sustained critical injuries, and one officer’s death. On October 28 alone, 41 policemen were injured, with 22 receiving treatment at the Central Police Hospital (CPH) and 19 at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
Who is taking shield behind this press briefing?
In an attempt to manipulate public perception, the recent press briefing intentionally misrepresented the violent confrontations that occurred during the protests in Bangladesh. While attempting to downplay the severity of the events, the briefing insidiously obscured the primary instigator of the violence: the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Numerous credible sources and eyewitness accounts confirm the BNP’s active involvement in orchestrating chaos and unrest at their Nayapaltan rally, as well as their coordinated efforts with allied organizations to incite clashes and undermine public safety. Despite clear evidence implicating the BNP, the prejudiced briefing maliciously sought to discredit the ruling party without providing valid sources or accurate information to support its claims. By distorting the narrative and transferring responsibility, the briefing not only failed to provide an objective account of the events, but it also misled the public by concealing the true perpetrators of the violence and undermining the rule of law in Bangladesh.
It is essential to approach such delicate matters with objectivity and honesty to ensure that the public receives an accurate account of what transpired. We can only work toward fostering a tranquil and prosperous future for Bangladesh if we tell a truthful and comprehensive story.
