Vandalism, arson, looting hit Shilpakala Academy in 22 districts

As authorities assess the damage, many officials remain absent over safety concerns

With unprecedented violence roiling the country following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, the Shilpakala Academy in at least 22 districts and Upazilas have been attacked, vandalised, looted, and set on fire.

The Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka has remained unscathed thanks to the presence of a military camp on its premises.

Sabina Yasmin, a spokeswoman for the Shilpakala Academy headquarters in the capital, told bdnews24.com that the attacks had resulted in the destruction of all types of musical instruments and the auditoriums.

Office cameras, projectors, and computers were looted, and documents of the Shilpakala Academy were burned, she added.

The academy is compiling a report based on information from cultural officers at the affected academies.

Sabina said, "Based on the information sent from the districts and Upazilas, we have found that over 22 Shilpakala Academy units have been attacked.”

“The miscreants stole and vandalised musical instruments such as harmoniums and tanpuras, along with office equipment. In some districts, CCTV cameras were also destroyed.”

Regarding the extent of the damage, she said, "It is not possible to specify at this moment. However, based on the information received from various districts, it appears that the damage amounts to several million takas."

Yasmin said most academy officials in the districts had not resumed their regular work as of Thursday.

Liaquat Ali Lucky, director general of the Shilpakala Academy, has been absent from the office since Hasina's departure, and attempts to contact him have been unsuccessful.

In Jhenaidah, attackers set fire to and vandalised the district Shilpakala Academy's facilities, including rehearsal rooms and auditoriums on Aug 5, according to district Cultural Officer Md Jashim Uddin.

The fire was later extinguished with the help of local journalists, cultural workers, and residents.

Officials at the academy estimate the damage from looting and arson to be around Tk 5 million.

On the same day, the Chandpur Shilpakala Academy faced arson, vandalism, and looting.

District Cultural Officer Diti Saha told bdnews24.com that the attackers targeted the academy at night, setting fires and stealing books, musical instruments, and other items.

No staff were present during the attack due to safety concerns, he added.

Satkhira Shilpakala Academy was not attacked, but theft occurred.

Cultural Officer Faiza Hossain Onnesha told bdnews24.com that staff and guards stayed away due to safety concerns.

Thieves broke into the academy and stole cash, projectors, cameras, keyboards, and other items, she added.

On Aug 4, attacks, arson, and looting occurred at the Sirajganj district Shilpakala Academy.

The office rooms and Shaheed M Monsur Ali Auditorium were vandalised and set on fire, with various items stolen.

Later, on Wednesday around 11:30pm, the Barishal district Shilpakala Academy was also attacked.

The assailants fled when military personnel arrived on the scene.

However, authorities are still concerned about potential further attacks.

The Mymensingh district Shilpakala Academy was also targeted, with damage to window glass from brickbats, though no major losses were reported.

Dhaka's Shilpakala Academy reported attacks at offices in Lakshmipur, Sherpur, and Naogaon.

The Melandah Upazila Shilpakala Academy in Jamalpur also faced attacks and vandalism.

In Shibchar Upazila of Madaripur, the Shilpakala Academy experienced multiple attacks and vandalism, with a second round of looting occurring at 11pm.

Attacks have also been reported in Barguna, Sunamganj, Rangpur, Khulna, Manikganj, Kurigram, and Tangail.

Many officials are avoiding their offices due to safety concerns.