Shafiqur claims Radda health centre attack needed ruling party backing

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman today said the attack and vandalism at the Radda MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur could not have taken place without the “patronage and backing” of the ruling party.

“We are warning the government,” he told reporters after visiting the centre this afternoon, demanding the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved in the attack and calling for steps to prevent similar incidents.

Shafiqur also expressed concern over the recent law and order situation, referring to several incidents in Dhaka, including the attack on content creator Salman Muqtadir’s studio.

He described it as an attack and demolition of a studio that belonged to a "July Uprising fighter".

“Later, there has been an attempt to portray it not as an incident of extortion, but as a dispute over land and property,” he said.

“Where in the constitution is there any provision for raiding someone’s property at one or two in the morning over a land dispute?” he asked.

Shafiqur also expressed concern that attempts could be made to implicate the opposition in such incidents.

“Let alone members of my party, even if I myself am involved in such an act, I want the law enforcement agencies not to spare me. I should also be brought under the law,” he said.

Regarding the healthcare system, the Jamaat chief said workers were being humiliated while the government was talking about taking healthcare services to people’s doorsteps.

He added that the healthcare system was operating with around half the manpower it required.

The healthcare centre in Mirpur-1 was vandalised and looted around midnight on Thursday. According to allegations, more than 200 masked men entered the centre, held two security guards hostage and looted equipment, medicines, vaccines and cash before using heavy machinery to demolish the facility’s buildings.

Shafiqur announced initial assistance of Tk 50 lakh for the centre and said further support would be provided if necessary.