Salman Muqtadir has alleged that local BNP activists carried out a retaliatory attack and vandalism after he refused to pay extortion money.
Popular content creator Salman Muqtadir's new creative studio at the ECB Chattar in the capital was reportedly attacked, extensively vandalized, and looted after extortion demands were refused. The attackers looted valuable electronic equipment, shooting gear, mobile phones, and wallets belonging to the staff from the studio.
The incident took place on Saturday, September 26, around 10:30 PM. Salman Muqtadir alleged that local BNP activists carried out this attack and destruction out of vengeance because he refused to pay the demanded extortion money. That very night, he published a video of the vandalism on his verified Facebook page.
Salman Muqtadir was outside Dhaka at the time of the incident. Upon receiving the news, he quickly flew back to Dhaka and went directly to the damaged studio. Appearing live on Facebook from there, he presented the visuals of the studio turned into ruins and expressed his anger and sarcasm toward the Home Minister and BNP activists.
Directly blaming the BNP, Salman said, "Whoever broke this—these BNP people who are doing this—your extortion cannot take away my dream! Your extortion keeps you guys this beggar-like, destitute because you cannot dream. No matter how much you steal or extort, you will never be able to grow bigger than this. This is your level."
Showing the studio in the video, Salman said, "An attack took place here just a little while ago… our studio is destroyed in this entire attack." The video showed various parts of the studio vandalized. Furniture and equipment such as chairs, tables, and televisions were damaged. Some of the studio staff were seen crying.
Sarcastically addressing Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Salman Muqtadir said, "This video is made very specially, just for our Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. Please do not take any tension. This is normal in Bangladesh. That's why I am smiling."
An eyewitness official of the studio stated that around 10:30 PM, about 100 to 150 people suddenly entered and began a rampage. Some of them carried sharp machetes and firearms. Fearing for their lives, the office staff took shelter in the restroom, where the attackers also broke in, held them hostage at gunpoint, and snatched their mobile phones and wallets. However, no staff members were seriously injured physically in the incident.
In the final part of the video, mocking the administration and the country's reality, he said, "Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, please do not take any tension about this. This video is not for you; this video is for the people of Bangladesh. If you want to stay in Bangladesh, please support extortion through sycophancy so that incidents like this do not happen to you. And Salahuddin Ahmed, great job! I love your work. Thank you so much. BNP is doing a fantastic job."
