Freedom Fighter Humiliated with Shoe Garland in Cumilla; Chief Advisor Orders Investigation

A freedom fighter, Abdul Hai alias Kanu (78), was humiliated by having a shoelace tied around his neck in Chauddagram, Comilla. The incident occurred in front of Kuliara Government Primary School in Batisa Union, Chauddagram Upazila, on Sunday afternoon. A video of the incident later went viral on Facebook. Abdul Hai, a resident of Ludiara village and a member of the Krishak League Central Committee, is the former vice-president of the organization's Comilla South District. His family claims that the perpetrators are local Jamaat-Shibir leaders and activists who have threatened him to leave the area. Upazila Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Mahfuzur Rahman expressed awareness of the incident, stating that humiliating a freedom fighter in such a manner is unacceptable. He assured that if any Jamaat or Shibir leaders or activists are involved, organizational action will be taken. Local sources report that Abdul Hai, an Awami League member, has been a victim of ongoing abuse. He had been away for nearly eight years due to his refusal to support the politics of former Chauddagram MP and Railway Minister Mujibul Haque. During his absence, his house was attacked multiple times. Upon returning recently, he was detained by a group of people when leaving his house, taken to the school grounds, and humiliated by having a shoelace tied around his neck. The incident was recorded and posted on Facebook. The Chief Advisor's Press Wing strongly condemned the act of tying the shoelace around Kanu’s neck, stating that the police and local administration have been instructed to investigate and bring the culprits to justice. The local police reported that Abdul Hai is accused in nine cases, including murder, and urged everyone to avoid taking the law into their own hands.