NGO worker’s mother beaten to death in clash over ‘Joy Bangla slogan’

Activists allegedly linked to local BNP units beat up the mother of an NGO worker, leading to her death at Ukhiya in Cox’s Bazar on Saturday night.

Ukhiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mujibur Rahman told reporters that a woman had died at a local hospital. The real cause behind the death is under investigation, he added.

As per eyewitnesses, Syeda Begum was severely beaten when trying to protect her son Abdur Rahman alias Imran from ruling party activists, after he himself had tried to shield a Chhatra League member from agitated BNP activists.

The family of the victim put the blame on BNP leaders Mizan Sikder, Abdul Karim, Akash, Saiful Shikder, Syed Babul, Mahbubur Rahman, Salam Shikder, and Chhatra Dal leader Jishan.

Tensions had started a week ago after unidentified people spray painted the words “Joy Bangla” on a wall in Ukhiya. The local BNP units had tried to submit a complaint with the local police station in this regard, but the pleas were turned down.

“Joy Bangla” is associated with the country’s independence struggle, but has drawn anger from different quarters over the past two years as it is also the official slogan of the banned Awami League.

On Saturday night, amid tensions surrounding the slogan on the wall, Younus, a member of banned Chhatra League, added a laughing emoji to a post by Chhatra Dal activist Jishan. The move pushed tensions to a tipping point.

Afterwards, a group of BNP-Chhatra Dal activists started beating Younus at a public place in Taipalang area, Rajapalang union of Ukhiya upazila.

Local NGO worker Abdur Rahman alias Imran stepped in to protect Younus. But he himself could not evade the wrath of BNP activists.

Afterwards, Imran’s mother felt compelled to intervene to shield her son, but could not escape the beating herself.

She was rushed to the Ukhiya Upazila Health Complex in critical conditions, where doctors declared her dead. Her body was sent to the Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for autopsy, said police officer Mujibur.

After police reached the scene of fighting, BNP activists handed over Younus to the officers. No activist from BNP and Chhatra Dal was detained at the time.