Photo : Collected
In the wake of the resignation and subsequent departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, fear and insecurity have gripped the grassroots leaders and supporters of the Awami League in Tangail district.
Following a student movement against discrimination that led to Sheikh Hasina's departure from the country, top leaders of the Awami League and its associated organizations have disappeared from public view, leaving their party members in a state of extreme vulnerability.
Reports indicate that former ministers, Members of Parliament (MPs), Upazila chairmen, municipal mayors, and chairpersons of various union councils, along with other high-ranking party officials, have fled their homes to evade potential threats. The whereabouts of these leaders remain unknown, as they have left no trace behind in their quest for safety.
The situation escalated after a violent incident on August 4, when Chhatra League activists clashed with students during a protest in Tangail city, resulting in a shooting that injured over 50 people. This incident sparked a series of attacks, vandalism, arson, and looting targeting the homes and properties of prominent Awami League leaders.
Among those affected were former State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam Titu, former State Minister for Education Shamsunnahar Chapa, Presidium member of Bangladesh Awami League and former MP Dr. Abdur Razzak, former MP Tanvir Hasan Chhoto Monir, and former MP Hasan Imam Khan Sohail Hazari. Even the house of independent MP Amanur Rahman Khan Rana was not spared from vandalism.
Despite the widespread attacks, former Awami League presidium member, former minister, and former independent MP Abdul Latif Siddique has managed to remain safe, possibly due to his support for the student movement.
The district has been in a state of unrest since August 4, with the homes and offices of Awami League leaders and activists being targeted. The situation worsened on August 5, after Sheikh Hasina's resignation, as MPs and party workers fled the area, their current locations remaining a mystery.
Communication with several Awami League leaders has revealed that there is no contact with the party ministers, MPs, and district leaders, and their whereabouts are unknown. The fear of attacks has not only prompted district leaders but also those at the upazila and union levels to go into hiding, with many still within the country and contemplating leaving for abroad when possible.
Abdur Rouf, Chairman of Fatepur Union Parishad and President of the Union Awami League, said that a group of miscreants attacked the Awami League office on Wednesday, setting the furniture on fire. This led to a clash between the two groups. On Thursday morning, the miscreants came in front of the Union Parishad office and started abusing them. When the matter was reported to the army personnel, they arrived at the scene. The miscreants fled upon seeing the army personnel, but returned to issue threats after the army left. Abdur Rouf mentioned that he then went into hiding.
The political climate in Tangail remains tense, with the absence of key Awami League leaders leaving a power vacuum and the potential for further unrest.
Messenger/Fameema
