Several influential figures from former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s regime have been arrested and face lawsuits, including Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, former principal secretary and adviser to the prime minister, and Mesbah Uddin, former secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The Detective Branch of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested Naser Chowdhury and Mesbah Uddin in the early hours of today (2 October) following separate raids in the capital, said Talebur Rahman, deputy commissioner (media and public relations) of DB.
“We apprehended Naser Chowdhury in the Dhanmondi area of the capital and both individuals were arrested in connection with specific charges,” Rahman said.
In Barishal, BNP leaders have filed two cases against 300 leaders and activists of the Awami League, including former mayor Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah, accusing them of attacking BNP members and engaging in shooting and bombing during protests.
BNP leaders Farzana Khan Rozy and Habibur Rahman Mintu filed the cases at Kotwali Model Police Station today, says Mizanur Rahman, the officer-in-charge of the police station.
When asked about the latest spell of arrests, Assistant Inspector General (Media and Public Relations) at Police Headquarters Enamul Haque Sagor told TBS that there are no specific instructions for mass arrests.
“We are visible and continue surveillance every now and then. We make arrests of the perpetrators and alleged accused when needed,” he added.
TBS also contacted Deputy Inspector General (operations) of police headquarters Md Rezaul Karim but he declined to make any comment.
However, at least two official sources from both Dhaka and outside, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the police and RAB were verbally instructed to arrest Awami League post holders nationwide.
More sued in Barishal
Alongside ex-mayor Sadiq Abdullah, who is also the general secretary of Barishal Awami League, AKM Jahangir, the president of Barishal Awami League, has also been named as an accused in both cases.
On 29 September, a case was filed against 250 individuals, including former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and former chairman of Barishal Sadar Upazila Saidur Rahman Rintu. They are accused of vote rigging during the national election held a decade ago.
The case was filed by Moniruzzaman Jamal on behalf of Kazi Enayet Hossain Bachchu, a BNP-nominated chairman candidate who lost in the 2014 election, said Mizanur Rahman, OC of Barishal Metropolitan Kotwali Model Police Station.
In Meherpur, RAB on Tuesday night arrested Sanwar Hossain Bablu, president of the Gangni Municipality unit of AL, and Nabir Uddin, vice-president of the Gangni Jubo League.
Nabir Uddin, 55, a former acting mayor of Gangni municipality, was apprehended from his business establishment, while Sanwar Hossain Bablu was arrested at his residence near Women’s College, in coordinated operations carried out by separate RAB teams, confirmed Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police Enamul Haque, commander of RAB-12’s CPC-3 Gangni camp.
Arrests in Dhaka
In the capital, police arrested three leaders of the Jubo League today, facing charges of indiscriminate firing during student-led protests in the Mirpur area on 4 August, which resulted in the death of a protester.
The arrested individuals are Abdur Rahman, alias Sujan, president of the Jubo League’s Baunia A-block, Md Shaheen Khan, C-block organising secretary, and Sohel, a member of the Pallabi Thana unit, says a press release from the Detective Branch of police.
A team from Pallabi Police Station apprehended them after reviewing footage from the vicinity of Popular Diagnostic Centre in Mirpur, where AL leaders and activists allegedly fired gunshots at a peaceful protest.
Md Imran, a protester, sustained bullet wounds in the attack and was rushed to Dr Azmal Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by on-duty physicians.
A murder case has been filed in connection with the incident, and the arrested individuals were subsequently taken to court. They will undergo initial questioning at the RAB camp, with further details expected to be announced today morning, says RAB.
