DACCA: An abortive attempt on the life of Awami League chief Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was foiled last night [Jan 8] when a young man was arrested with a sharp dagger at his residence. The young man, Golam Mustafa, was later handed over to the police. A case was instituted against him.

Mr Tajuddin Ahmed, General Secretary, East Pakistan AL, in a Press statement said: “A young man was caught while he was pressing his way inside the residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the plea of having a private talk with him. He had a sharp dagger concealed in his person. After he was hauled up, he disclosed that he went there with the mission of killing Sheikh Mujib. He further disclosed that he was commissioned for this purpose by an organised gang which gave him training and instructions for inflicting mortal injury on the AL chief to bring an end to his life.”

[Meanwhile, as reported by a correspondent in Karachi,] Army troops patrolled the City’s affec­ted areas following extensive damage caused to some show rooms, three cinema houses and a large number of wine shops by unruly mobs in Saddar and other parts yesterday [Jan 8]. … The District Magistrate clamped Section 144Cr.P.C banning all previous permissions accorded for any processions with immediate effect.

Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2021