Rajshahi AL leader in Dhaka hospital

Shahidul Islam, a leader of Rajshahi Metropolitan Unit of Awami League, who was left gravely injured after an attack by alleged members of Jamaat-e-Islami supporters on Sunday night, has been moved to Dhaka for better treatment.

Witnesses and police said armed activists of Jamaat’s student front Islami Chhatra Shibir had severed the veins on both his legs in an attack at his home in Binodpur, an area adjacent to Rajshahi University.

Shahidul Islam is General Secretary of Ward No-30 of Rajshahi Metropolitan chapter of the Awami league.

He has been admitted to the National Orthopedic Hospital and Rehabilitation Institute, better known as Pangu Hospital, in Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, his wife said.

At least 30 to 40 activists of Shibir attacked his home chanting slogans on Sunday night, according to police.

The attackers also severed the veins of Mainul Hossain, a ward-level Awami league member and teacher of Nazmul Haque High School.

Ruhul Amin, the Jatiya Juba League President from Ward-30, also received injuries as he tried to save the leaders.

Saidur Rahman. a doctor from the emergency unit at Rajshahi Medical College said, “Shahidul was hacked before the veins on his legs were severed. Mainul too was hacked and the vein on his left hand has been cut.”

Measures were taken to bring Shahidul to Dhaka during the night as his condition deteriorated. He was admitted at the Dhaka hospital in the morning.

Meanwhile, Sunday’s assault prompted retaliatory attack on three residents of Shibir leaders. Supporter also set fire to the houses by Shibir leaders and vandalised Islami Bank and Islami Bank Hospital.

Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner Muniruzzaman told reporters there were incidents of vandalism and arson in the Islami Bank branch in front of the city’s New Market at around 1:30am.

The Islami Bank Hospital in Laxmipur was attacked by supporters protesting the attacks on the Awami League members at 2:30am. Police and Fire Services put out the flames.

Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) members are patrolling the streets along with police and RAB to keep law and order.