The Detective Branch (DB) of police has arrested 13 leaders and activists of the Awami League, including former Brahmanbaria-5 MP Faizur Rahman Badal and former reserved seat MP Tamanna Nusrat Bubli, under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Muhammad Talebur Rahman, deputy commissioner of police (Media and Public Relations Division) at Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), confirmed the matter through a press statement.
It stated that Faizur Rahman was arrested around 10:30pm on Saturday from Nikunja area by the DB Motijheel division while other AL men and Tamanna Nusrat Bubli were arrested in separate drives in Mohammadpur and Aftabnagar areas from Saturday night and early Sunday.
Other AL are Md Manikur Rahman, 35, president of Sheikh Hasina Trinamool Sangrami League and former member of Titumir College Chhatra League; Md Abdur Razzak Shakil, 59, former law secretary of Jatiya Shramik League, Ward 22 in Rampura and member of Sheikh Hasina Trinamool Sangrami League; Md Alam Matbor, 58, secretary of Bangladesh Shramik Federation and member of Sheikh Hasina Trinamool Sangrami League; Md Saiful Islam, 37, member of Sheikh Hasina Trinamool Sangrami League, Md Moksed, 39, Jubo League member from Maheshpur Thana, Jhenaidah; Md Kayem Hossain, 41, an activist of Awami League member of Raipur Union, Jibon Nagar Thana, Chuadanga; Riazuddin Ahmed Manik, 50, former member of Ward 31, Chawk Bazar Thana Awami League; Md Nazrul Islam Suman, 37, member of Bangabandhu Sainik League; Ebadul Haque Shobuj, 35, Education, Training and Library secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan South unit Jubo League; Mahbubul Haque Hirak, 60, former vice-president of Dhaka Metropolitan South unit Chhatra League, and Abiruzzaman, known as Abir, 25, Jagannath University unit Chhatra League leader.
Among those arrested, Tamanna Nusrat Bubli is accused of organizing grassroots activists and leading several flash processions across Dhaka city. Meanwhile, Abiruzzaman allegedly led crude bomb attacks and flash processions in the capital’s Shyamoli area. He is also reported to have taken initiatives to reorganise the Dhaka Metropolitan North unit of the Chhatra League. Authorities claim he has been receiving substantial foreign funding to support these activities.
It is to be noted, the interim government on 12 May banned all activities of the AL and its associated and affiliated organisations, on allegations of killings, genocide, crimes against humanity, and other grave offences during the July uprising. Later, the Election Commission also suspended the party’s registration.
