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DHAKA: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leaders have given the authorities a seven-day ultimatum to arrest those involved in vandalising the Radda-MCH-FP Clinic in Mirpur, identify their alleged patrons and ensure exemplary punishment.
They warned of tougher programmes if the accused are not brought to justice within the deadline.
Mohammad Selim Uddin, a member of Jamaat’s central executive council and amir of its Dhaka North city unit, and Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem Arman, MP for Dhaka-14, issued the ultimatum at a large human chain organised by local residents in front of Radda Centre in Mirpur at 4:30pm on Sunday.
Speaking as the chief guest, Selim Uddin said they had not gathered to press any personal or political demand. Hundreds of mothers and children had received free treatment at the hospital, he said, urging the authorities not to deprive people of their fundamental right to basic healthcare.
He questioned why a full investigation report had not been published despite the passage of considerable time. Media reports had indicated that the attackers had backers, he said, adding that political identity must not shield anyone from criminal accountability.
“There is no point in trying to cover up the Radda incident,” Selim Uddin said, demanding that the identities of those behind the attack be made public. If the government failed to do so, he said, a commission of inquiry would be formed with representatives of civil society.
On the hospital’s losses and future management, he demanded the return of all medicines stolen during the attack and called for the facility to be developed into a modern healthcare centre. He also called for its legal ownership and authority to be clearly established, warning against handing control of the institution to any group of middlemen.
Taking a hard line against extortion and illegal occupation, Selim Uddin said such activities must end. He warned that public anger could once again lead to a situation similar to the July uprising if people took to the streets.
He also questioned the role of the administration, saying the hospital had been vandalised while police vehicles were present at the scene. The reasons for the authorities’ failure should also be investigated, he added.
“There can be no extortionists in Mirpur. We will continue to protest against injustice, and threats of police firing will not silence us,” he said.
Referring to broader urban problems, Selim Uddin pledged to work to address traffic congestion, waterlogging and other difficulties faced by Dhaka residents. He said initiatives would be taken to resolve these problems through competent leadership based on merit, honesty and patriotism.
He urged the government to publish a proper investigation report and take legal action, saying that doing so would dispel public suspicion. Any attempt to delay the process, however, would also make the government accountable, he warned.
Referring to the recent rise in fuel prices, Selim Uddin said the government had cited the war as a reason for increasing prices but questioned why it had failed to maintain law and order. He said the authorities could not evade responsibility for the deterioration of the security situation.
Speaking as a special guest, Dhaka-14 MP Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem Arman described Radda Hospital as one of the key facilities providing affordable healthcare in Mirpur. Hundreds of mothers and children had received treatment there, he said, expressing concern that law enforcement agencies had yet to arrest those involved in the vandalism.
He thanked journalists for regularly reporting on the incident and said there were concerns that political influence was preventing the authorities from arresting the accused.
“If the administration fails to arrest these criminals within seven days, a programme larger than this will be announced,” he said.
Arman named Pabel, Lenin, Shubhra, Russell and Sajib among those he alleged were involved, demanding that they be brought to justice within the deadline. He warned that a tougher movement would be launched with public support if the authorities failed to act.
Speakers at the human chain also demanded adequate security for the Radda-MCH-FP Clinic, the return of stolen medicines and other items, a fair investigation, and legal action against both the attackers and those who allegedly instigated or backed them.
The programme was chaired by Mahfuzur Rahman, a member of Jamaat’s central working council and assistant secretary of its Dhaka city unit. Among others present were city working council member Shah Alam Tuhin and Jamaat leaders Dr Moin Uddin, Monirul Islam Mridha and GM Hafizur Rahman.