Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ameer Maqbul Ahmad has issued the following statement on 26 October 2019 expressing deep resentment as the murderers of the martyrs of 28 October are still not tried and prosecuted.

“On 28 October of 2006, marking the completion of the tenure of the then 4 party alliances, Jamaat-e-Islami arranged program in front of the Baitul Mukarram North gate. BNP also held another program in front of their central office in Nayapaltan and Awami League organized another rally in Paltan Moidan of the capital. Several days before this program, Awami League president had instructed her party workers to join the 28 October rally with sticks and other lethal weapons. 

As a part of the program preparation, on 28 October morning, Jamaat-e-Islami’s activists was making stage at the Baitul Mukarram premise. Several hundreds party activists were present in the spot at that time. But suddenly, the armed activists of 14 party grand alliances started attacking the Jamaat workers. Particularly, when the central leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami were about to address the rally, the grand alliance activists fired bullets against the Jamaat-Shibir activists. They were mulling to proceed towards the stage. The Awami cadres became more reckless when Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami started his address. In particular, Maulana Nizami and former social welfare minister Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid were their key targets. But the Jamaat workers formed a human shield to protect their respected leaders. Police and other law enforcers played a passive role on that day. Resultantly, the violence and clashes spread over the streets of Polton within hours. 6 Jamaat and Shibir activists had been martyred due to attack of the Awami goons. Not only in Dhaka, 14 party activists created mayhem in many other parts of the country as well. Unprecedented number of patients were admitted in the hospitals nationwide. Many people became crippled and blind forever due to merciless attack of the Awami cadres. The people from Bangladesh and different parts of the world witnessed those brutalities through media telecast. Those scenes were unbearable and as such the children were asked to avoid watching TV on that day. Many people were beaten to death just because of political vengeance. There is no other example of such barbaric acts in the politics of Bangladesh.

Those incidents have created a stigmatic history in the Bangladeshi politics. The enemies of Islam wanted to kill the Jamaat and Shibir leaders on that day with an intention to eliminate Islamic movement. But they do not know that an ideological movement can never be suppressed by such means. One day, by the will of Almighty Allah, the soil of Poltan and its adjacent area will reveal all the real histories.

Though the victim families are still waiting for justice but they have not lost their hope. Rather, they are inspired as they became a part of the martyr’s family. Based on the sacrifice of the blood of the martyrs, Islamic movement will mark its superior position in this country soon. Along with the fellow countrymen, we are looking for those awaited moments.

On behalf of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, a case was filed seeking judicial investigation into the incidents. But the incumbent government withdrew that case and obscured the way for getting justice. So, there is no hope of getting justice from this government. We hope and believe that the people of the country will try the murderers in near future to meet the public expectations.

I am urging all the wings and front organizations of Jamaat-e-Islami to offer prayer for the martyrs of 28 October and their families.”