Bangladesh: Rallies, human chains to protest assassination bid on Bashundhara Group MD Sayem Sobhan Anvir

New Delhi: The assassination attempt on Bashundhara Group Managing Director (MD) Sayem Sobhan Anvir has triggered wave of protests and marches across the country by citizens as well as business community. The protests against murderous plot on one of ‘key assets’ of nation entered 3rd day on Monday, with people calling for capital punishment of the assailant.

Sayem Sobhan Anvir, MD of Bashundhara Group and Chairman of Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra Limited was targeted on November 5 during Friday prayers.  A youth named Saiful Islam Saad tried to shoot the businessman dead during the Jummah prayers but was apprehended by the police in nick of time. The attacker was arrested, produced before the court, following which he has been sent on three-day remand.

The 23-year-old youth hails from Sautul Quran Madrasah. According to a report, Jatiya Sangsad whip Shamsul Haque Chowdhury and his son Nazmul Karim Chowdhury Sharun are the one who planned this wicked plot to kill Bangladesh’s noted businessman.

Protests across the country against plot to kill Bashundhara MD

The country has been witnessing widespread protests against the murderous attempt on life of Sayem Sobhan Anvir. Monday marked the third day of protest.

In Shahbagh of Dhaka, a human chain was held in front of the National Museum on Monday. People from all walks of life took part in human chain and protest rallies that took place in areas like Bogura, Sirajganj, Rangpur, Kushtia, Khulna, Jashore, Mymensingh, Pabna and Barishal.

Hundreds of protestors, especially journalists denounced the murder plot and demanded that Anvir’s attackers be given exemplary punishment. Protestors also demanded immediate arrest of the masterminds Whip Shamsul Haque Chowdhury and Nazmul Karim Chowdhury Sharun, on whose behest the murderous plot was hatched.

Tuhin Ahmed, one of the organisers of the rally stated, “We are demanding arrest of whip Shamsul Haque and his son Sharun for their involvement in the conspiracy to kill Bashundhara MD. Sayem Sobhan Anvir is working for welfare of the country. He stood beside the poor and destitute in all critical times. He created employment of thousands of people.”

Russel, who participated in the rally said that Whip Shamsul and Sharun assigned a youth named Saad to disguise himself as domestic help and appear in the house of Anvir and implement the plot. 

In Gulshan-2, protestors demanded immediate arrest of the culprits for their attempt to murder the MD of Bashundhara Group. The protestors stated that  several such conspiracies were hatched by the culprits to end Anvir’s life and hence an exemplary punishment was need of the hour.

In ECB Chattar of Dhaka, the residents of Manikdi and Cantonment areas took part in the protest. 

In Uttara of the capital, a human chain was formed protesting multiple attempts to kill the country’s top business conglomerate Bashundhara Group’s MD and Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra chairman Sayem Sobhan Anvir. The programme was held at Jasim Uddin intersection around 11:30 AM on Monday, where hundreds of locals joined the protests.

In Barishal, the business community expressed deep concern over the crime. Rebeka Sultana, secretary of Barisal District Women Business Forum, slammed the heinous attempt and asserted that protest will continue until the plotters are brought to book.

In Mymensingh, businessmen of the district demanded stringent punishment for the culprit. Other areas that witnessed protests against the heinous crime inlcuded Pabna, Sirajgan, Laxmipur, Manikgan, Jamalpur, Faridpur, Khulna, and Jashore.