Staff Correspondent

A special meeting of the reconstituted ad-hoc committee of Chattogram Samity-Dhaka was held on Wednesday at 10 AM on the premises of the Chattogram Samity building.

The meeting was presided over by the committee’s convener M A Hashem Raju and conducted by member-secretary Deputy Attorney General Advocate Farid Uddin Khan.

During the meeting, a decision was adopted to gradually include all Chattogram residents currently living in the capital as members of the Samity. There was notable astonishment expressed over the inclusion of a very limited number of Awami fascist ideology supporters in the century-old, tradition-rich Chattogram Samity.

A decision was also taken to launch a dedicated hotline to ensure proper welfare services for Chattogram residents residing in Dhaka. Speakers called on the executive committee and life members to step forward with renewed resolve to revitalize the organization through creative and innovative planning.

The meeting strongly protested and condemned a false, harassing case filed against M A Hashem Raju, a student leader of the 1990s and convener of the Chattogram Samity, who two years ago risked his life by legally challenging the threats made by the authoritarian Awami League against Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor of the Interim Government, and former US Ambassador Peter D. Haas. The allegations were brought forward by Shahadat Hossain Hiru and his group, who were known to be collaborators in the July uprising's attacks on students and the public.

On April 13, this same group carried out a sudden and violent attack at the Samity office on M A Hashem Raju and Saifuddin Mohammad Emdad Babu, a prominent anti-discrimination student leader who lost his eyesight in the movement. Despite a case being filed with Shahbagh Police Station, the attackers have yet to be arrested. The meeting expressed grave concern that those who belong in jail for their fascist activities are now openly attacking patriotic revolutionary forces. Due to leniency by the Interim Government, such elements are once again regaining ground across the country.

The meeting called on the government to take immediate legal action against Shahadat Hossain Hiru and his associates, who are described as cronies of “Killer Hasina” and looters of state assets linked to S. Alam’s cashier network.

The Samity also offered prayers for the souls of all deceased members since its establishment. A unanimous resolution was adopted affirming that Chattogram Samity is a welfare-oriented organization, committed to working for the overall development and well-being of the people of Chattogram and the nation, regardless of political affiliation, religion, or caste.

Distinguished participants in the discussion included Senior Joint Convener Prof. Dr. Muhammad Musa Khan, Joint Conveners Nasir Uddin Mizan, Advocate Abdul Mannan, Advocate Nazim Uddin, Coordinator Mohammad Mubinul Islam, Joint Secretary Manzur Morshed Mamun, and members Nasir Uddin, Shahjahan Montu, Advocate Masudul Alam Chowdhury, Md. Ismail, Abu Taiyeb Habilder, Abdur Rahman Russel, and Mostafa Al Ihyaz, among others.