Two more BNP men arrested over Radda health centre demolition

Police have arrested two more people in connection with the looting and demolition of facilities at the Radda MCH-FP Center, a maternal and child health centre, in Mirpur-1, Dhaka.

The arrested individuals are Sajjad Hossain Mishu (36), vice president of the Jatiyatabadi Cyber Dal Dhaka district unit, and Md Rafiqul Islam Jinnah (27), senior joint general secretary of the Dhaka City West unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal.

Rafiqul was arrested at Shah Ali Police Station from the capital on Friday night, Officer-in-Charge (OC) Rajib Hossain told Daily Waadaa.

Mohammad Rakib Khan, Deputy Commissioner of the Detective Branch (DB) of police, confirmed the arrest of Sajjad to Waadaa.

With these arrests, the total number of people arrested in connection with the incident has now risen to 17.

Earlier on 25 September, a masked group of around 250 people vandalised the 50-year-old healthcare centre in Mirpur-1 and looted medical equipment, medicines, official records and cash before illegally occupying the premises.

Following the incident, a case was filed with Shah Ali Police Station.

The incident quickly developed into a political problem for the BNP, with allegations of involvement by people linked to local party politics.

Following allegations of police inaction during the attack, Shah Ali Police Station's then-officer-in-charge Jahangir Alam was withdrawn.

On 30 September, the Dhaka North BNP committee was dissolved after allegations emerged of political involvement in the incident.

The local Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal committees were also dissolved, while several leaders and activists were expelled.

Ferdousi Ahmed Misty, a reserved-seat lawmaker, also resigned on October 1 after allegations of involvement in the incident emerged.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, however, said the investigation into the allegations against her would continue.