Five activists from BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami were detained at Mirpur Police Station in Kushtia on Saturday night while attempting to secure the release of a drug suspect.
According to police and local sources, a team led by Sub-Inspector (SI) Rakibul Islam of the Amla Camp conducted a raid in Technical College Road area of Sadarpur Union around 8:30pm on Saturday.
During the operation, an individual identified as Rabiul, son of Ramzan Ali from Naoda Azampur village, was caught red-handed with eight pieces of Yaba. Following his arrest, a case was filed against him under Narcotics Control Act.
As news of the arrest spread, five local activists arrived at the police station around 10pm to lobby for Rabiul’s release.
Police officials reported that the group exerted repeated pressure on duty officers to release the suspect. Despite being warned multiple times by the police, they remained adamant in their demands. Consequently, following directives from higher authorities, the five men were taken into police custody.
The detained individuals are Enamul Haque, a BNP leader and member of Ward No-6 of Sadarpur Union, and four Jamaat-e-Islami activists – Sujan Ali, Alauddin, Shafiqul Islam, and Saiful Islam.
Mohammad Shahidul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Mirpur Police Station, said district police are maintaining a strict position to implement the government’s “zero tolerance” policy against drugs.
He noted that a special anti-narcotics drive is currently underway across the country.
The OC further remarked that the activists’ persistent and unethical lobbying for a suspect caught red-handed suggests they are either directly involved in the drug trade or are providing encouragement to traffickers.
He added that legal action would be taken against them following consultations with higher authorities.
