Attack on Hero Alom: Foreign minister expresses anger over statement of 12 embassies

Twelve embassies including the US in Dhaka have issued a statement over the attack on Hero Alom who was MP candidate in the by-polls of Dhaka-17.

Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen has expressed anger over the joint statement by the foreign missions.  

When asked about the matter at the foreign minister's office on Wednesday afternoon, getting furious, he said, "I don't know."

Describing the diplomats as activists, the foreign minister asked, "Do they issue statements when people are killed in America? Does the United Nations do the same? Have they ever said why people are killed in America?"

Abdul Momen points out, "A Bangladeshi named Foysal was killed in Cambridge. Has the United Nations said anything about the progress of the investigation in connection with the murder? Or have the ambassadors in a group issued a statement? Why don't you ask them? Why don't they issue statements when people are killed in their countries?  When it comes to Bangladesh,  they make a big deal about it."

The foreign minister said this is not acceptable and why Hero Alom was beaten up should be investigated.

During the by-polls on Monday, the independent MP Hero Alom came under attack while visiting a polling centre at the Banani Bidyaniketan School and College.

The United Nations has expressed concern over the attack on Ashraful Hossen alias Hero Alom who was an independent MP candidate in the by-elections of Dhaka-17 constituency.

Expressing concern, UN resident coordinator Gwyn Lewis gave a tweet on Tuesday.

At a briefing, US state department spokesperson Mathew Miller said there is no place of violence in democratic elections.

On Wednesday, twelve embassies including the US in Dhaka have issued a statement over the attack on Hero Alom who was MP candidate in the by-polls of Dhaka-17.

The foreign minister said the issuance of a statement in such a way is not acceptable.

He said, "Do they play such a role anywhere? Give me a report as to a statement that has been issued after the death of a person. Many people have been affected in France a few days ago. Did they give a statement in a group? So why did they do this in the case of Bangladesh?"

The minister has said time has come to stop those statements.

Saying that the attack on Hero Alom is not acceptable, Momen said, "An investigation has to be carried out why he was assaulted."

The foreign minister said, "Maybe someone was involved in it, which we don't know. Maybe a quarter doesn't want our next elections and has started evil activities to create an uncertain situation and to obstruct it."

Momen said many people make different remarks when the foreigners make trips to Bangladesh.  

He said, "President Biden is sending teams one after another to improve relations while you suspect. I have held meetings with Blinken as to how the relations can be improved, not anything else. You start conspiring when someone comes from abroad. Stop it."