Shahadat Babu, Noakhali Correspondent
Angry students and the public attacked, vandalized and set fire to the village home of Bangladesh Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader in Companiganj, Noakhali.
The demolition of the two-story building of the house in Rajapur village, Ward No. 1 of Basurhat Municipality in the upazila, began at around 1:15 pm on Thursday (February 6).
Locals said that around 1:45 pm, students took out a procession from Basurhat Bazar in the upazila. The procession ended at Basurhat bus stand and ended at Kader's house. Later, the two-story building of Obaidul Kader's younger brother, former mayor of Basurhat Municipality Abdul Kader Mirza, who was staying there, was demolished with hammers and shovels. Later, the building of his younger brother Shahadat Mirza was also vandalized. Earlier, on the afternoon of August 5, five houses and two cars in that house were vandalized and set on fire. At that time, the angry crowd was seen taking away various furniture.
Local resident Emran Hossain said that Quader Mirza renovated the building a few days after August 5. This was the second time that Quader's house was set on fire and vandalized. However, none of his family was there at the time of the attack and vandalism. Quader's family members have been in hiding since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5.
Md. Ariful Islam, coordinator of the Noakhali district branch of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, spoke to reporters at the scene. He said, "Innumerable people of the student community in Companiganj have been subjected to torture and abuse by Obaidul Quader and his brother Abdul Quader Mirza and his forces. The anger that had built up against them because of these reasons, today's attack and vandalism is an expression of that anger. Students from all walks of life have participated in this attack and vandalism." He said that if any government behaves like a fascist while running the state in the future, their fate will also be the same.
When contacted, Companyganj Police Station OC Gazi Muhammad Fauzul Azim's mobile phone was not connected. Therefore, no statement was received from him on this matter.
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Shahadat Babu, Noakhali correspondent
