A case has been filed against 200 unidentified individuals in connection with the attack on followers of Baul artiste Abul Sarkar, police said on Monday evening.
Md Aminul Islam, Inspector (Investigation) of Manikganj Sadar Police Station, said injured Baul artiste Abdul Alim filed the case. The accused have been described as members of the 'Towhidi Janata' ('People of Piety').
“We are monitoring media reports, social media footage and photographs to identify and arrest those involved,” the inspector said.
The attack took place around 9am on Sunday near Shaheed Miraj-Tapan Stadium, when a group under the banner Allama-Olama O Towhidi Janata of Manikganj confronted Abul Sarkar’s supporters, who had organised a human chain demanding his release. At least four people, including three of Abul’s followers, were injured.
On November 4, during a programme at the Khala Pagli fair in Ghior upazila, Abul Sarkar was accused of making remarks that allegedly insulted religion.
A video of his comments later spread on social media, sparking widespread criticism.
He was detained by the Detective Branch on the night of November 19 from a musical event in Madaripur and brought to the district DB office the next morning.
Later that afternoon, Mufti Md Abdullah filed a case at Ghior Police Station, after which Abul Sarkar was shown arrested in court and sent to jail.