Police in Pabna have filed a case against 37 leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and its student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), on charges of holding a secret meeting and conspiring to overthrow the elected government through sabotage.
Around 80 to 90 other unidentified individuals have also been accused in the case. Pabna Sadar Police Station Sub-Inspector (SI) Parvez Akter filed the case on Sunday.
Prominent accused in the case include Tajul Islam, 38, former general secretary of Pabna District Chhatra League; Mir Rabbiul Islam Simanta, 27, the immediate past general secretary; Zubair Biswas Antu, 32, current president of the district BCL; and Toushikur Rahman alias Raba, 28, its general secretary.
According to Pabna Sadar Police Station sources, the case was registered under the Special Powers Act, 1974, and relevant sections of the Penal Code for anti-state activities, illegal assembly, and planning sabotage.
The First Information Report (FIR) states that a large number of leaders and activists from the banned organisations gathered for a secret meeting at approximately 12:10am on Thursday.
The gathering took place in front of the Shalgariya Sub-Registry Office in Ward No 7 of Pabna municipality and near Maligacha Government Primary School.
The FIR alleges they were conspiring to seize state power by deteriorating the law and order situation through acts of sabotage.
Following a tip-off, a special team from Pabna Sadar Police Station conducted a raid in the Zakirer More area on Sadar Hospital Road at about 12:25am. Sensing the police presence, the suspects fled the scene, abandoning local weapons.
During a subsequent search of the spot, police seized a Chinese axe, three iron rods, three bamboo sticks, and 20 brick chips. These items were recorded in a seizure list in the presence of two local witnesses.
The accused individuals are currently absconding, and their mobile phones remain switched off, making it impossible to obtain their comments.
Pabna Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Tarikul Islam confirmed the details of the case and said police operations are ongoing across various areas of the district to apprehend the named and unidentified suspects.
