Mirpur:The CSO Alliance, a coalition of over 300 civil society platforms, has condemned the recent attack on the Radda MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur-1, demanding a thorough investigation and compensation for the damages.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the alliance reported that approximately 200 to 250 individuals stormed the clinic, held security guards hostage, and stole vaccines, medicines, medical equipment, and cash. They then demolished the centre's buildings with heavy machinery around midnight last Thursday.
The Radda Centre, established by the Swedish chapter of Save the Children in 1974, has been providing essential maternal and child health services to underprivileged populations in Dhaka for nearly five decades. In partnership with the government, it has delivered vaccination, maternal care, and family planning services.
The attack occurred as the centre was preparing for the second phase of the national measles-rubella campaign. Despite the destruction, Radda continues to vaccinate children in temporary tarpaulin tents, though most other services have been halted.
The CSO Alliance criticized ongoing issues of mob violence and called for legal resolutions to land disputes. They emphasized the importance of maintaining law and order to support partnerships between the government, businesses, and NGOs.
In response to the incident, nine arrests have been made and some looted goods recovered. A police inquiry is underway, and the Health Minister assured that the court would resolve ownership issues while vaccination efforts continue.
The alliance has set forth a five-point demand, calling for a prompt investigation to hold those responsible accountable, publishing inquiry findings, securing the clinic's operations, and compensating for its losses. They also urge moving services from makeshift tents to safer facilities and ensuring no child misses the vaccination campaign.
The alliance's demands have been endorsed by several prominent members, including Sara Hossain, Asif Saleh, Shib Narayan Kairi, Rasheda K. Choudhury, Shaheen Anam, Hasin Jahan, Dr. AKM Musha, KAM Morshed, and Syeed Ahamed.