Desk Report: In Chittagong’s DC Hill, the stage, pandal, chairs, banners, and other arrangements set up for Pohela Boishakh celebrations were vandalized. Police have detained six individuals in connection with the incident.
Organizers reported that a group of youths damaged the setup around 7:30 PM on Sunday.
In protest, Chittagong’s cultural activists have announced a boycott of the Pohela Boishakh event scheduled for tomorrow.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Md. Alamgir Hossain confirmed that six people have been detained and are being interrogated.
Pranab Chowdhury, a key organizer of the DC Hill New Year Celebration Committee, told Samakal, “We had prepared a vibrant setup for Pohela Boishakh, including a stage and decorations across DC Hill. Around 7:30 PM, a group of youths entered and destroyed everything, from the stage to other arrangements.
This is unacceptable on the eve of Boishakh and a major blow to the country’s cultural sphere. We are deeply concerned and, in protest, have decided to boycott the Pohela Boishakh event at DC Hill.”
The ‘Combined Pohela Boishakh Celebration Committee’ had completed preparations for the Bengali New Year on Sunday. Coordinator Sucharita Dash Khokon said, “Around 40-50 youths attacked our stage in the evening, damaging the pandal and several chairs.
We were set to start the New Year celebrations on Monday morning, with all preparations complete. Now, everything is in ruins due to this attack. We have decided not to hold the Pohela Boishakh event here.”
Kotwali Police Station OC Md. Abdul Karim said, “We are aware of the vandalism. A police team is at the scene, and the matter is under investigation.”
The Charan Cultural Centre, Chittagong District Branch, strongly condemned and protested the vandalism and attack on the Pohela Boishakh stage, a traditional event at DC Hill for Bengali New Year 1432.
In a press release tonight, Ahmad Jasim, an organizer and central committee member of Charan Cultural Centre, said, “This attack is a threat to the nation’s existence and heritage. This nation has stood tall against oppressive and communal forces.
The attack at DC Hill is not just about disrupting an event; it is an attempt to erase our Bengali culture, folk traditions, and the achievements of our past struggles. Changing the name of Mangal Shobhajatra has further fueled such attempts.”