'We Want Safety of Life': Robi Chowdhury Angered by Shooting at Asif Akbar's Car, Artists' Security in Question

Singer Robi Chowdhury has expressed concern and anger over the shooting at popular singer Asif Akbar's personal car. Strongly condemning the incident, he said, "We want safety of our lives." He also called for those involved to be identified through a proper investigation and brought under the law.

On Sunday (October 25), Robi Chowdhury reacted to the attack on Asif Akbar's car in a post on his own Facebook account. His post has sparked fresh discussion in the music world about artists' security.

Robi Chowdhury wrote, "I woke up to see that my brother Asif Akbar's car had been attacked. We artists give our lives to sing for people; we cannot take lives. Are we all safe? I strongly protest this and condemn it. Let an investigation find out who did this. We want safety of our lives."

In the early hours of Saturday (October 24), shots were fired at Asif Akbar's personal car in front of Bishal Center in the capital's Moghbazar. Police said the singer was not in the car at the time; he was in his personal office (studio) on the third floor of Bishal Center, so he was unharmed.

According to accounts of the incident, the shots were fired at around 4:50 to 5:30 a.m. at the car parked on the footpath. CCTV footage showed an unidentified man getting down from a CNG-run auto-rickshaw coming from Moghbazar and firing one round at the rear right window of the car; after firing, he got back into the auto-rickshaw and fled towards Malibagh.

The shot shattered the car window, causing an estimated 20,000 taka in damage. The driver was also absent at the time, so there were no casualties. Asif Akbar, however, said the attackers had probably targeted the time he usually leaves his office; that day he was delayed coming down because he was speaking to his son on the phone, which saved him.

Asif Akbar himself filed a case as the complainant at Hatirjheel Police Station in the capital on Saturday night, naming unknown persons as accused. On Sunday afternoon, Hatirjheel Police Station's Officer-in-Charge Asaduzzaman said CCTV footage from the surroundings was being collected to identify the attacker.

Several other stars of the music and entertainment world had also expressed concern earlier over the shooting at Asif Akbar's car. In their view, such an incident raises fresh questions about artists' security. Robi Chowdhury's post has brought that concern to the fore even more strongly.

It is still not confirmed who carried out the attack or with what motive. Whether the incident is linked to any personal or professional dispute of Asif Akbar is also unclear. Asif himself has said he does not personally suspect anyone.

Police say they are examining whether the attack stemmed from a personal, political or any other dispute. Analysing the collected CCTV footage to identify the auto-rickshaw and the attacker is now the main task of the investigation.

Robi Chowdhury has demanded a proper investigation to unravel the mystery of the incident. His demand for ensuring the safety of artists' lives has now become the sentiment of many in the music world.

With the case filed, the incident has entered the formal investigation stage. Once the attacker is identified, a clearer idea of his motive may also emerge; until then, neither the speculation nor the concern surrounding this pre-dawn shooting is subsiding.