Police have arrested 19 people after a procession by activists of the now-banned Awami League and its affiliated organizations following namaz-e-janaza of former housing and public works minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain.
A case has been filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act over the incident.
Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Aftab Uddin said that on Wednesday, a group of activists gathered in front of Jamiatul Falah Jame Mosque after janaza and began chanting anti-government slogans. At one stage, they brought out a procession, creating tension in the area. Upon receiving information, Sub-Inspector Sharif Uddin of Kotwali police station arrived at the scene with a police team. Sensing the presence of police, the participants attempted to flee through different alleyways.
Police later recovered 15 pieces of brick and eight wooden sticks from the spot. Based on intelligence information, raids were conducted across different parts of the city, leading to the arrest of 19 individuals.
The arrested individuals include Mohiuddin (39), Suman (24), Imon (23), Mortuza Mehdi alias Mehdi Hasan (22), Bashar alias Hasan (24), Sazib (27), Musa (42), Sohel (28), Monir (37), Raihan (29), Ilyas alias Milon (26), Zahidul Haque alias Sohag (24), Shahin (27), Sharif (20), Choton alias Rakib Mia (28), Alamgir (24), Saddam Hossain (29), Russell (25) and Zainal (22).
Police said a case has been filed at Kotwali police station under the Anti-Terrorism Act, and the arrestees were produced before a court on Friday morning.
Deputy Commissioner (South) of Chittagong Metropolitan Police, Hosain Mohammad Kabir Bhuiyan, said during preliminary interrogation the detainees admitted to being activists of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League and other Awami League affiliates. They were allegedly involved in anti-state conspiracies, sabotage and other subversive activities.
He also said several of the arrestees face multiple cases, including charges related to arms, robbery preparation, murder, theft, and violence against women and children. In particular, Mohiuddin faces more than 15 cases, including arms and robbery-related charges.
Kotwali police said operations are ongoing to arrest other absconding suspects.
