The National Citizen Party (NCP) today (15 October) demanded that those involved in the lynching of a young man in Satkhira's Debhata over allegations that he had hurt religious sentiment be swiftly brought to justice.
In a statement signed by Sadia Farzana Dina, a member of the party's office cell, it also called for accountability from the authorities concerned over the second attack on Wahiduzzaman Shamim while he was undergoing treatment at the hospital, and their failure to ensure his safety.
"Publicly beating a person over blasphemy allegations, attacking him again after police rescued and hospitalised him, and ultimately killing him are a grave blow to the rule of law and the safety of citizens," the statement reads.
"No individual or group has the right to try anyone for an allegation. That responsibility lies with the state and the lawful justice system," it added.
Citing media reports, the NCP said tension grew in Debhata on October 13 after an audio clip containing allegations of hurting religious sentiment against Shamim went viral on social media. He was beaten at one stage, and police, alerted through the national emergency service 999, rescued him and admitted him to the Upazila Health Complex.
Later that night, however, a group of angry people stormed the hospital and attacked him again, the party said.
It alleged that one Qari Fazlul Haque Amini led the attack, assisted by local Jubo Dal activist Sadikul Islam and Mohammad Najmul, convener of the Government Khan Bahadur Ahsanullah College unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal.
"Even after police rescued him and arranged treatment in the first instance, his life could not be saved," the party said, asking what safety ordinary citizens can expect if a hospital is not a safe refuge even for an injured person.
The NCP demanded answers from the authorities on how the attackers were able to disrupt hospital services and assault a patient.
It said merely announcing an investigation is not enough, and the reasons for the failure to prevent the attack must also be examined.
The party said if the allegation of hurting religious sentiment is serious, the accused could be tried under the law following a proper investigation.
"But killing someone by beating in the name of punishment, before verifying the allegation, determining the context of the remarks and giving the person a chance to defend himself, is in no way acceptable," it said.
Shamim's family has claimed he was mentally ill and under treatment. The NCP stressed the need to properly verify the authenticity of the audio, the actual context of the remarks, and his physical and mental condition.
For a fair investigation, it demanded that all those who took part in both attacks be identified based on eyewitness accounts, video footage and other evidence, and brought to justice quickly.
The party also called for investigating those accused of instigating the attacks, organising the crowd or playing a role in the violence.
It further sought an impartial probe into what security measures had been taken for the patient, why they failed, and whether there was negligence or collusion.
"The state's stand against communal incitement and blasphemy must be clear," the party said. "If the power to punish is handed over to an agitated mob whenever an allegation is raised, the very existence of law and the justice system becomes meaningless," it said.