Police have arrested seven people in Cox’s Bazar’s Ukhiya for allegedly preparing to stage a procession in support of the banned Awami League, bringing the number of arrests in an anti-terrorism case to nine.
The seven were arrested during a raid in the Morichya Bazar area of Haldia Palong Union on Saturday morning. Police also seized a microbus allegedly being used by the group.
Ukhiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Atiqur Rahman said the suspects had been preparing to hold a procession in support of the banned Awami League.
“They were arrested over allegations of preparing to stage a procession in support of the banned Awami League. Legal action has been taken against them and they have been sent to court,” he said.
The arrested were identified as Md Mizanur Rahman, 26; Farhad Hossain, 18; Sajjadur Rahman, 19; Saiful Islam, 21; Mohammad Imrul, 19; Md Sohel, 19; and microbus driver Abul Khayer, 30.
Police showed the seven arrested in a case filed with Ukhiya Police Station on July 26 under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Two others had previously been detained in connection with the case, taking the total to nine.
The case accuses leaders and activists of the Awami League, Jubo League, Chhatra League and other affiliated organisations of holding a clandestine meeting and planning acts of sabotage and disruption.
A total of 114 people have been named in the case, while another 50 to 60 unidentified people have also been made accused.
Sub-Inspector Palash Barua of Ukhiya Police Station filed the case following information police said they received a day earlier.
According to the case statement, police officers were on duty in the Kutupalong Bazar area around noon on July 25 when they received information that Awami League and affiliated organisation leaders and activists were holding a secret meeting at the home of former Cox’s Bazar district Chhatra League president Ali Ahmed.
The alleged meeting was being held in the Nalbunia area of Ward No. 8 under Palongkhali Union.
Police alleged that those attending the meeting were planning activities aimed at disrupting public security and creating disorder. The case statement specifically accuses them of plotting to block highways with tree trunks, set tyres on fire and carry out other acts of sabotage.
Among the prominent figures named as accused are Ukhiya Upazila Awami League President Jahangir Kabir Chowdhury, Vice-President Humayun Kabir Chowdhury and General Secretary Nurul Huda.
Ukhiya Upazila Chhatra League Convener Tarek Hossain Manik, Upazila Jubo League President Imam Hossain and General Secretary Sarwar Kamal Pasha have also been named, along with leaders and activists of the Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League at different levels.
Police said the seven people arrested on Saturday had been sent to court and that the investigation into the case was continuing.
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