Only organisational steps not sufficient: Jamaat Ameer

Referring to the resignation of BNP reserved-seat MP Ferdousi Ahmed Mishti following Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s directive over the vandalism of the RADDA health centre, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman said organisational measures alone are not sufficient.

Ferdousi Ahmed Mishti resigned as a lawmaker on Thursday (1 October).

She submitted her resignation letter to Parliament Speaker Major (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed at noon.

Earlier, Mishti had been asked to resign from Parliament as the BNP moved to take action over the attack, vandalism and looting of the RADDA MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur-1, party insiders said.

Dr Shafiqur Rahman, who is also the Leader of the Opposition, made the remarks in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Thursday.

In his post, Dr Shafiqur Rahman wrote, “At last, the government and the ruling party have started taking organisational steps after being compelled to act over the encroachment of the RADDA clinic under the cover of darkness.”

He also wrote, “But it is not sufficient to take only organisational measures, as it is a heinous act. Legal action must be taken against the culprits and strict punitive measures must be ensured. The countrymen want to see visible and trustworthy legal steps.”

Shafiqur Rahman said the government also has a responsibility to sustainably rebuild the damaged and looted health centre.

On the midnight of September 24, an attack, vandalism and looting took place at the RADDA MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur-1. Later, the health centre's structure was demolished with the help of heavy machinery. According to the case statement, the incident caused a damage worth around Tk 1.09 crore. Several people have already been arrested and sent to jail related to the incident.

Investigations by various media outlets into the incident revealed the names of former member of the Dhaka North City BNP Mohammad Hanif Mia and former member secretary of the Dhaka North City Jubo Dal Mostafa Jaglul Pasha. They are well-known in the area as close associates of Ferdousi Ahmed.

Ferdousi Ahmed has also been accused of being involved in the attack. However, the allegation of her involvement is still under investigation. On September 30, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said that no one would be spared if any evidence of involvement was found during the investigation.