Bangladesh: Concert cancelled after attack
A music concert in central Bangladesh was abruptly cancelled on Friday night after violence broke out at the venue, leaving over 20 people injured, most of them students, officials said.
The incident occurred at Faridpur Zilla School, around 120 km from the Capital, where a reunion and cultural programme were being organised for current and former students. Popular Bangladeshi rock singer James was scheduled to perform at the event.
According to organisers, trouble began shortly before the concert was due to start, around 9:30 pm, when a large group of outsiders attempted to enter the school premises.
The programme was restricted to registered participants, but thousands reportedly gathered outside after news spread that James would be performing. When entry was denied, the group allegedly turned violent, throwing bricks and stones and attempting to force their way onto the stage.
Students present at the venue tried to resist, resulting in clashes that caused injuries to at least 15 to 20 students, along with several others.
As the situation worsened, authorities intervened and instructed organisers to call off the performance. James was escorted out of the venue for safety, and the event was officially cancelled around 10 pm.
Mustafizur Rahman Shamim, convener of the organising committee, announced the cancellation from the stage, citing directions from the Faridpur district administration. “Considering the overall security situation, we had no choice but to stop the programme,” he said.
Rajibul Hasan Khan, convener of the publicity and media sub-committee, said organisers were still unclear about the identity and motive of the attackers. “All necessary preparations had been made, but the sudden attack created chaos. Several students were injured after being hit by bricks,” he added.
Local authorities said the situation was later brought under control, and an investigation is underway to identify those responsible for the violence.
Rahman offers prayers at Hadi, Nazrul graves
New Delhi: BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday visited the University of Dhaka and offered prayers at the graves of late Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho, and National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. The visit took place on the third day of Tarique Rahman’s return to Bangladesh after nearly 17 years abroad. He arrived at the Dhaka University campus around 11:15 am amid tight security after leaving his Gulshan Avenue residence at about 10:40 am in a white bulletproof SUV.
