Jamaat leaders and activists staged a protest in front of Joydebpur Police Station in Gazipur to demand the release of a man identified as an “Awami League leader,” whom they claimed was one of their own members.
The incident occurred after 8pm on Friday.
According to local sources, police detained Shafiqul Sikder, 38, the organizational secretary of Ward No 2 of Mirzapur Union Awami League, as a suspect in a case.
Following his arrest, 70-80 Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and activists marched to the police station, chanting slogans and demanding his release.
Jamaat's Gazipur Sadar Upazila Secretary Abdul Bari, standing in front of the police station, said: "Every citizen has the right to participate in political activities. Innocent people should not be arrested or tortured at police stations for their political affiliations. The students and people of this country did not sacrifice their blood for such injustice. The right to sleep peacefully must be ensured for all citizens."
Joydebpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdul Halim told Dhaka Tribune: "We detained Awami League leader Shafiqul Sikder for questioning as a suspect involved in an attack on students and the public. However, Jamaat activists gathered in front of the station, claiming him as their member."
Gazipur district Jamaat Assistant General Secretary Mostafizur Rahman said: "Shafiqul Sikder was associated with Awami League politics before 2018. However, after that, he was no longer active in Awami League and later filled out a form to join Jamaat politics."
Rahman further said: "Members of another political group pressured him to join their party. When he refused, they handed him over to the police. That’s why our local leaders went to the station to discuss his case."
However, an official document from September 8, 2023, signed and approved by the convener and three joint conveners of Mirzapur Union Awami League, listed Shafiqul Sikder as the organizational secretary of Ward No 2 of Mirzapur Union Awami League.