Opposition leader sees ‘political power’ behind Mirpur healthcare vandalism

Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has alleged that “political power” was behind the attack on an affordable healthcare facility in the capital’s Mirpur-1 area early Saturday.

Shafiqur demanded strict punishment for those involved and warned that if legal measures are not taken against the “partisan suspects” now, in future, people may “enforce justice” themselves.

He was referring to the midnight attack on the Radda MCH-FP Center in Mirpur-1, which left four buildings demolished, and losses worth Tk1.5 crore.

“This time, the heat of political power has fallen on a healthcare center. Under the cover of darkness, the healthcare facility was demolished, and a mysterious signboard was put up at the site,” Shafiqur said on his official Facebook page on Saturday.

“Where was the administration? Where were the law enforcement agencies?,” he asked rhetorically.

“It is no longer unclear who is behind this. Their greed appears to know no bounds. They have wiped out an opportunity for ordinary people to access healthcare.

“On the one hand, the government is pledging to bring healthcare services to people’s doorsteps. On the other hand, incidents like this are taking place.

“How long will this kind of game continue? The perpetrators must be identified and brought to justice and subjected to strict punishment. Otherwise, there may come a time when they will face punishment at the hands of the people themselves.”