CPB Office Attacked in Old Paltan After Ex-Student Leader's Release

The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) has accused activists of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its affiliates of attacking its headquarters in Dhaka's Old Paltan area. Local media reported the incident on Tuesday, describing a chain of events that began with a celebration and ended in violence at the party office.

The unrest started on Monday night, when Deepak Sheel, a former president of the student union, was freed from custody. Following his release, student union activists held a rally in Paltan to mark the occasion. Reports say Sheel was attacked during the celebrations, which quickly escalated.

The violence then moved to Mukti Bhaban, the CPB office, where a large crowd gathered and forced its way into the compound. Mahir Shahriar, president of the student union, said the attackers were local BNP leaders, possibly members of the Paltan unit or affiliated groups. He alleged that the group was being portrayed as supporters of the Awami League and said that party leaders and members were trapped inside.

CPB leaders said the procession had set out from the party's central office and that Sheel had joined activists as they moved to the Paltan crossing, where a short meeting took place. Local reports indicate that 40 to 50 people, claiming to be members of the Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal, objected to the 'Jai Bangla' slogan. A verbal clash followed, with both sides shouting slogans.

The confrontation turned physical, and two CPB activists were allegedly beaten.

Jolly Talukdar, a presidium member of the party, criticised the government for failing to restrain its own members. She asked how anyone could launch an attack in front of a political party's office.

CPB General Secretary Abdullah Kafi Ratan defended the slogan, saying Jai Bangla is a rallying cry from the liberation war. He stated that even if the slogan had been raised during the procession, it could never justify an attack on the Communist Party's office.