Jatiya Party Secretary General Barrister Shameen Haider Patwary on Monday demanded that the government arrest those involved in the “attack” on their party Chairman GM Quader’s Uttara residence within 24 hours.
“If you do not arrest the perpetrators within 24 hours, Jatiya Party will launch a strong movement and protest,” he said, addressing a press conference at the party office in the city.
Earlier in the day, GM Quader’s residence in Sector 7 of Uttara in the capital came under attack by a group of people.
Describing the attack as a planned one, Shameen claimed that a group of people brought out a procession and attacked and vandalised the house.
He said their party chief was at home with his family members during the attack, but they were safe.
The attack took place because GM Quader had criticised the hike in the prices of essential commodities, the Jatiya Party secretary general claimed.
“We are not a banned organisation. We will speak out and engage in politics. Jatiya Party is a legal and registered party, and it should be allowed to carry out its political programmes,” he said.
Shameem said their party office was set on fire four times during the immediate past interim government, led by Dr Muhammad Yunus. “We do not want that horrific situation to return,” the Jatiya Party leader said.
He urged the government to ensure political coexistence, saying their party had planned to organise a long march and procession on September 26 to protest soaring prices of essential commodities and fuel, but it did not get permission.
A group of people under the banner of “Anti-Autocracy General People” staged a demonstration outside GM Quader’s residence on Monday, demanding his immediate arrest.
The protesters staged a sit-in on the road in front of the house at 10:40am and chanted various slogans.
According to witnesses, the protesters could not enter the residence but vandalised its windowpanes before leaving the scene ahead of the police’s arrival.
CCTV footage showed some protesters demonstrating in front of Quader’s residence, throwing bricks and other objects at the house.