Police have arrested an expelled activist of the Jamaat-e-Islami for kicking a woman during a demonstration by the Democratic Student Alliance on Wednesday in Chittagong.
The activist, Akash Chowdhury, expelled after the incident, was arrested on Sunday afternoon in the city’s Kotwali area, confirmed the officer-in-charge (OC) of Kotwali police station, Abdul Karim.
The OC said: “Based on secret information, Akash Chowdhury was arrested. He has been shown arrested under a case filed by police under the Speedy Trial Act and sent to court.”
The Democratic Student Alliance had announced the program in protest against the acquittal of Jamaat leader ATM Azharul Islam, previously convicted of crimes against humanity.
According to police, shortly after the program began, a group named "Shahbagh Birodhi Oikya" arrived in a procession.
Around 3:30pm, a confrontation occurred between the two sides and police tried to disperse them.
At that time, members of Shahbagh Birodhi Oikya attacked the leaders and activists of the student group, injuring 15 people, police said.
A case was subsequently filed under the Speedy Trial Act with Kotwali police station, naming two detained individuals and 20 unidentified persons as accused, they added.
The FIR said that the accused, armed with local weapons, created panic and unrest in the area and obstructed road traffic.
Meanwhile, a video of the attack circulated on Facebook. In the footage, a man is seen kicking two people, including a woman, from behind.
That man was identified as Akash Chowdhury.
The video shows leaders and activists of the Democratic Student Alliance taking shelter under a building next to the Chittagong Press Club after the attack.
A police officer is also seen nearby.
Akash, avoiding the officer’s attention, approached the group from behind and suddenly kicked one person.
He then turned and kicked another woman, as seen in the video.
On Friday, a statement signed by Mohammad Ullah, assistant secretary of Jamaat's Chittagong metropolitan unit, announced Akash Chowdhury’s expulsion from the organization over the incident.