Jamaat 'bans' cultural activities in Jaldhaka!

Taking the advantage of alleged police indifference, the accused Shibir activists are moving in the area and threatening the businessmen to withdraw the case.

On Wednesday night, a group of Shibir activists led by Rawson Ali and Masum Moula damaged a VCD shop named 'Fami VCD at

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Matha vanga area in the town for playing music, violating the restriction in cultural activities. The Shibir activists also assaulted Rabiul and Dulal, two employees of the shop. Their cries drew the owner of a nearby betel leaf shop, Tauhidul Islam, who was also beaten by the Shibir activists and his shop was also ransacked, the victims alleged.

Owners of the two shops also alleged that the attackers looted Tk 20,502 from their shops. While leaving the place, the Shibir activists threatened them that Jaldhaka municipality area is a stronghold of Jamat and music and song will not be allowed there.

VCD shop owner Shamim Ahmed lodged a case with Jaldhaka thana accusing seven Shibir activists.

Meanwhile cultural activists in Jaldhaka alleged that Jamaat MP Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury imposed an 'undeclared ban' on cultural activities in the municipal area.

Talking to this correspondent, Golam Mortuza and Rustom Ali Hira, two leading artistes of 'Spondon Shilpi Gosthi' and 'Muktangon Natyo Charcha' respectively, alleged that Jamat-Shibir men forcefully stopped Pahela Baishakh (first day of Bangla new year) celebrations on Jaldhaka College premises last year, saying the programmes were anti Islamic. After that, Jamaat-Shibir activists imposed restriction on cultural activities, he said. They blamed Jamat lawmaker from Jaldhaka constituency Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury for this.

The Jamaat-Shibir action has created resentment among people in the town, particularly cultural activists.