Following Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed's comments in a Facebook live where he termed the creator's live remarks as having "given birth to controversy" and highlighted the absence of a formal case, Salman Muktadir claimed in a counter video message that he went to the Cantonment Police Station on the very night of the attack to file a case, but it was not accepted.
While speaking to journalists at the Secretariat on Sunday afternoon, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said, "The gentleman who came live on Facebook and made the complaint, did he file any case? He did not. This live has given birth to controversy."
Salman Muktadir later stated in a video message, "The question of why the case was not accepted belongs to me." He claimed that after the incident, he went to the Cantonment Police Station that night and stayed there until dawn the next day, yet the case was not registered.
The attack, vandalism, and looting took place around 10:30 PM on Saturday at the New Guinea Properties housing project in South Manikdi of ECB Chattar. Alongside Salman's Brownfish Studio, the office of New Guinea Properties and surrounding establishments were also attacked. Police went to the scene after receiving a call on 999 and arrested three people in connection with the incident. The Home Minister also stated that bullet shells and local weapons were recovered from the scene.
Police's preliminary suspicion is that the attack may have stemmed from a land dispute involving New Guinea Properties. The Home Minister stated that preliminary investigations revealed a dispute between two parties over about 35 katha of controversial land, with one party being a housing developer and the other a retired military official. According to his statement, preliminary reports indicate that some people on behalf of that military official went under the cover of night to occupy the land and carried out the vandalism.
However, the Home Minister noted that the detailed investigation into the incident has not yet concluded. He stated that the preliminary investigation is very brief and requires a more detailed inquiry, adding that the legal processes for cases and general diaries are ongoing.
In a Facebook live broadcast following the incident, Salman Muktadir highlighted the visuals of the studio vandalism and described it as "robbery, extortion, and destruction." At the same time, addressing the Home Minister, he stated that he has no personal anger or complaint regarding the country's law and order situation, but rather it is a matter of seeing what steps are being taken in accordance with the responsibilities of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Addressing Salman's remarks at the Secretariat on Sunday, the Home Minister said that at one point he stated no one had demanded extortion from him, and had they demanded, he would have paid. The Minister's phrasing was, "The person from whom extortion was not demanded is saying 'if they had demanded, he would have paid.' Then there is no identified person. Afterwards, he is saying the BNP demanded extortion—this is a blanket accusation. If he files a specific case, we will investigate it."
In response, Salman Muktadir stated that regardless of the cause of the incident being land disputes, extortion, or the political identity of the attackers, ensuring the security of a citizen is the government's responsibility. He said, "We have not come to you for an investigation; we have come for action."
Regarding the involvement of the BNP, Salman claimed that the individuals detained in the attack mentioned the BNP. However, the police have not confirmed the involvement of any political party in this regard.
The Home Minister also referred to Salman's allegations against the BNP as a "blanket accusation," stating, "The BNP is an extortionist party—this blanket accusation makes no sense. If he files a specific case, it will be investigated."
Meanwhile, Salman Muktadir also questioned the Home Minister's remark about "minor vandalism." He stated that the incident was not merely vandalism; the attackers broke CCTV cameras and even took away the server, expressing anger at the presentation of the incident as "minor vandalism."
In statements given after the attack, Salman mentioned that various equipment in the studio and clients' work materials were taken away, resulting in financial losses for him. However, he noted that the questions raised regarding general public safety are more important than personal loss.
Salman also highlighted in his video message that the location of the attack falls under the Dhaka-17 constituency and is the parliamentary seat of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He questioned whether responsible government officials should view the matter with greater seriousness when such an incident occurs near the Prime Minister's constituency.
Salman stated that he does not want to turn the incident into a political issue. He claimed that despite people from various political parties contacting him, he did not respond to them. His stance is that regardless of whether the attackers have political identities associated with the BNP, the Awami League, or any other faction, his primary demand is the assurance of security and legal action.
On the other hand, the Home Minister stated that vandalism occurred at Salman's establishment, which they have seen, but he also noted that no case has been filed from his side regarding the matter. At the same time, he indicated that a case regarding the incident may be filed, and detailed information will be known after the investigation progresses.
Salman Muktadir told the Home Minister in his video message that since the government is in power, ensuring public safety is also the government's responsibility. He stated that in the past under various governments, he has spoken out against rape, murder, extortion, and the law and order situation, and will speak out against the current government as well if necessary.
The Home Minister stated that some evidence related to the incident has been recovered. Along with the recovery of bullet shells and local weapons, three individuals have been arrested. As the matter is under investigation, further details will be provided after the legal process moves forward.
Investigations by police and relevant authorities into the incident are ongoing. Further information may emerge following investigations into the connection between the land dispute and the attack, the identity of the attackers, and who was involved in the attacks and looting at the studio and other establishments.
