Jatiya Party MP Khoka’s ‘men’ assault Sonargaon museum officials

Jatiya Party MP Liyakot Hossain Khoka’s men have allegedly beaten up government officials at Sonargaon Folk Art and Craft Museum in Narayanganj. Khoka was present at the scene.

Narayanganj Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 10 Jan 2016, 07:02 PM
Updated : 10 Jan 2016, 07:02 PM

The MP has also allegedly ordered closure of the month-long folk art and craft fair scheduled to open on the museum premises on Jan 14.

Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor is scheduled to inaugurate the fair.

The officials allegedly assaulted are the museum’s display officer AKM Azad Sarker and senior guide Mozammel Haque.

Sarker said he and Haque had rushed to welcome the MP who came to pay homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Sunday to mark the Bangabandhu’s Homecoming Day in 1972. There is a sculpture of the Bangabandhu on the museum premises.

“When he (the MP) asked us about the fair, we told him the director knew about it.” Sarker said.

“The MP was upset because the fair had been arranged without informing him. He ordered a halt to the preparations.

“Some people accompanying the MP then pounced on us, punching and kicking us,” Sarker said, adding he was rescued by colleagues.

Bangladesh Folk Art and Crafts Foundation Director Poet Rabindra Gope said he was visiting the finance ministry when the alleged assault took place.

He said he informed the relevant authorities about the matter.

Regarding the MP’s ‘order’ to shut the fair, he said, “The fair will not be closed on anyone’s threat.”

MP Khoka said he was angry on seeing the absence of a programme to mark the day. “Even no official of the museum was there.”

He said he rebuked an official for not arranging a microphone for him to speak.

“A member of the museum staff had a scuffle with a youth when I was leaving. I slapped the youth and made him leave,” he said.

He claimed he does not know the youth.

</div>  </p>