How the 'Save Rajshahi' group stands up to criminals

Soon after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, attacks and arson attacks on government buildings took place in Rajshahi like the rest of the country and continued throughout the night. The next morning the city of Rajshahi looks like a pile of rubble. Rajshahi Nagar Bhavan, Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Headquarters, various police stations and government offices were almost completely damaged.

On the evening of August 6 on the same day, the miscreants also set their sights on Varendra Research Museum, one of the prides of the city of Rajshahi. I heard who came to attack the museum. I feel that something must be done. Salim Reza Newton, a teacher of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism of Rajshahi University, was next to him. He said, 'Let's go to the museum. I went there and saw many people crowded. Army personnel patrolling. A few local students volunteered to guard the museum that night. Later we left. There we learned that the news of the attack on the museum was a rumour. But the matter gave rise to apprehension in our minds.
We are concerned when reports of attacks on minorities, musicians, bowlers are coming from different parts of the country. Brother Newton advised the volunteers to unite. He told the matter to the cinematographer Mohammad Tawqir Islam and some other enterprising youths and students. I feel the same need. On July 7 at noon, we invite everyone in Rajshahi on social media to sit for a discussion on this issue. A group called 'Save Rajshahi' was opened with hundreds of volunteers after the evening discussion in front of Varendra Museum. There we share the responsibilities, who will perform what duties where in the city. Another resistance began.
Soon after the opening of the group, at 10 pm I got information that some miscreants had gathered at C&B junction. They will demolish the mural of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman located there. The mural is the largest in the country. I went there alone as the area was familiar to me. Together with the local residents, we resisted and were able to deter them.
Mohammad Tawkeer Islam is acting as the coordinator of our group. He tasked everyone to maintain order on the streets. They in turn took up positions in the important areas of the city, especially C&B Mor, Zoo, Court Bazar, Naodapara Bazar, Bank Para, Swarnakarpatti, Sahebbazar, Nowhata outside the city, and Katakhali, so that they can play an immediate role to avoid any untoward incident. Students and youths are also working in the temples in turn.
Within a day, the number of volunteer members who joined the group crossed a thousand. They went down to recover stolen goods from city buildings, zoo, hi-tech park and theme Omar Plaza, and managed to recover huge amount of goods. Their activities are still ongoing. They are constantly trying to protect the city and the people of the city by building a collective resistance against injustice.
Members of the group are working with the Army, Ansar, Hospitals, Fire Service, Red Crescent, Scouts, BNCC and other organizations working with journalists for various needs.
Volunteers rescue stolen items from various government buildings
A small fund has been set up for the daily travel, food and other expenses of the volunteers, which is provided from among the members. There is no leader in our group, all are workers. We plan to make the group ward-based. Apart from students, there are people from various professions including rickshaw pullers, teachers, doctors, engineers, lawyers, writers, photographers in our group. They are working tirelessly to ensure safety.
One of the reasons for telling this story is that our group in Rajshahi has already started to see success. We have recovered lost content worth mentioning. However, as the work is still ongoing, it is not possible to give an overall account right now. If one or more groups work in all parts of the country like our group in Rajshahi, the safety of all citizens can be ensured. Before concluding, I gratefully acknowledge the contribution of Brother Newton, whose advice and planning have helped us on our way every moment.