Police have shown BNP leader Moqbul Hossain arrested in a case filed over Tuesday’s violent clashes between New Market traders and Dhaka College students that left two dead and scores injured.
Advocate Moqbul, the prime accused in one of the cases filed by the police for obstruction in performing duties, was picked up from his Dhanmondi residence by the Detective Branch of police for questioning on Friday evening.
Later, he was shown arrested in the case and handed over to New Market police, confirmed DMP Additional Commissioner AKM Hafiz Akhter.
"He has been kept at the police station. We'll produce him before a court on Saturday," said Sharif Mohammad Faruquzzaman, senior assistant police commissioner of New Market zone.
Moqbul’s name was first mentioned by the Dhaka College students during a press conference on Wednesday as an instigator.
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A member of the BNP’s Dhaka south unit, Moqbul is the former president of BNP’s New Market thana unit. He owns the two fast food shops – Welcome and Capital, from where the clash ensued on Monday night.
The DB police is investigating the two cases filed over two deaths from the clashes. New Market police filed the other cases for use of explosives and obstructing law enforcers from performing duties.
Around 1,550 people have been made accused in the four cases.
Earlier in the day, police chief Benazir Ahmed said that the names were mentioned in the cases based on specific allegations: “It happened in front of everyone. Steps will be taken.”
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At least 50 people including journalists and bystanders were injured in the fatal clashes that turned the Mirpur Road from Science Laboratory to Nilkhet intersection into a battleground on Tuesday.
Two of the injured succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment at hospitals while the condition of three others including two students is stated to be critical.
New Market police station Officer-in-Charge SM Qaiyum said that the police were analyzing everything including those who were wearing helmets and the presence of outsiders.
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'Politically Motivated'
Moqbul earlier claimed that he was implicated in the case because of his affiliation with the BNP.
“Everyone named in the case is a leader of the BNP or its affiliate bodies. Many of them are staying abroad for several years,” he said, adding that it was nothing but a ploy to harass them politically.
Regarding the names of 24 people including Moqbul Hossain in a case, the OC said: “The persons named in the cases are accused of instigating the violence. Their political affiliation is not a matter of consideration here."