Dhaka, Dec. 19 -- Cultural Affairs Advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has denounced the attack on the Chhayanaut cultural complex in Dhaka as a "criminal offence" and said it goes against the spirit of the July Uprising.

In a statement issued on Friday, Farooki said the vandalism and arson at the institution in Dhanmondi, which took place amid protests following the death of Inqilab Moncho Convenor Sharif Osman Hadi, were unacceptable and unlawful.

He added that the government was working to ensure that those responsible were swiftly arrested and brought to justice.

Hadi, who had announced plans to run as an independent candidate from Dhaka-8 in the upcoming election, died in a hospital in Singapore after being shot while campaigning in th...