Those arrested over Salman Muqtadir’s studio vandalism are ‘Gupta’: DNCC admin

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan has claimed that those arrested over the vandalism of content creator Salman Muqtadir’s studio were “covert” (Gupta) operatives.

“Whenever something happens, they say BNP is behind it. But look at the incident at the ECB Chattar. They said at night that BNP had done it. Later, whose names emerged? Those who are covert,” he said.

Shafiqul made the remarks at a programme held on Tuesday to inaugurate a children’s playground, Shaheed Minar and park in Ward 4 of DNCC’s Mirpur-13 area.

He claimed one of those involved had a dispute with his son-in-law and a former army officer, and questioned why the incident was initially blamed on BNP.

“Who were arrested? Who were identified in the CCTV footage? The covert ones,” he said, urging people to be cautious.

He said those seeking to destabilise the country would not be given any concession and stressed that the government was democratic and belonged to the people.

The DNCC administrator also said he would have “zero tolerance” for any unethical or antisocial activities by members of his party. However, he said he would verify any complaint against his colleagues before taking action.

He said people who make allegations with dishonest intentions against his colleagues would face a response from him and other colleagues.

Referring to the upcoming DNCC elections, Shafiqul said the party would decide who would contest from Ward 4 and warned potential candidates against claiming that they had already secured support from party leaders.

He said candidates would have to follow the party’s decision when the election was held.

Shafiqul also said his party had no political identity outside its leader Tarique Rahman and the Zia family, adding that they would remain with them and work alongside others to develop the country and its cities.