The army has detained 13 leaders and activists of the BNP in Ashulia, Dhaka, on allegations of suspicious movement near two polling centres. They were later handed over to Ashulia Thana police.
Around 12:30am on Thursday, an army patrol team conducted a raid at the New Town New Model School and College polling center in Ward No. 5 of Dhamsona Union and detained 9 individuals.
Those detained are Abdur Rahman (42), son of Shamsul Haque from Madhupur area under Ashulia Thana; Md. Shahjahan Bepari (64), son of Bashir Uddin Bepari; Md. Julhas Uddin (24), son of Shahjahan Bepari; Mohammad Sarwar, son of Yakub Ali; Md. Sumon (23), son of Babul Hossain; Md. Sujon (20), son of Ahmad Ali; Shahinur Islam (30), son of Taizul Islam; Sumon (36), son of Akhtar Hossain; and Mohammad Nurul Islam (35), son of Danez Ali Sheikh from Gopipara area. They are all known to be supporters of BNP-nominated candidate Dewan Md Salahuddin Babu.
Meanwhile, during the same period, a separate operation at the Nalam polling centre in Ward No 9 of Dhamsona Union resulted in the detention of 4 more individuals.
Those detained are Md. Montu Mia (35), son of Yusuf Ali from Nalam Bagbari area; Md. Jewel Mia (36), son of Md. Ali Hossain from Nalam Panpara area; Kabir Hossain (37), son of Lokman Hossain from the same area; and Rakib Hossain (39), son of Majid Bepari. Law enforcement agencies have stated that they too are supporters of the same candidate.
When contacted regarding this matter, SI Saymon Sheikh, Duty Officer of Ashulia Thana, said the army detained the 13 individuals at night and handed them over to the police station. Ashulia Thana OC Rubel Hawlader informed that cases have been filed against the accused and they have been sent to court.
According to concerned sources, army and police patrols have been intensified in the area to maintain a normal post-election environment.
