Police in Madaripur arrested three local leaders of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organizations for arranging and attending a public feast to mark the death anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The arrests took place during the feast itself, while others managed to flee. Police claim the event was organized to create unrest in the country.
Feast Organized Despite Political Ban
In Madaripur, the banned Awami League and its affiliated organizations held a public feast (গণভোজ) to observe the death anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The program was arranged by Kazi Sahadat Hossain Mithu, Joint General Secretary of the district Swechchhasebak League, along with other local leaders and activists.
Arrest During the Event
On Friday, August 15, at around 11:30 AM, police raided the home of Kazi Sahadat Hossain Mithu in the Itarpul area of Madaripur town. At the time, the mass feast was in progress. Police arrested Kazi Sahadat Hossain Mithu, Mintu Khan, and Badol Shikder on the spot while they were eating.
According to local witnesses and police, many others managed to escape as soon as they noticed the police entering the venue.
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Police Statement on the Raid
Police said that the gathering was organized secretly despite the ongoing political activity ban on the Awami League and its associates. They claimed it was intended to create political unrest in the country.
Bangla: “দলীয় কার্যক্রম নিষিদ্ধ হয়ে দেশের মধ্যে বিশৃঙ্খলার সৃষ্টি করার লক্ষ্যে তারা এই আয়োজন করেছিল। দেশে স্থিতিশীলতা বজায় রাখার জন্য তাদের এই অভিযান অব্যাহত থাকবে। তাদের বিরুদ্ধে একাধিক মামলা রয়েছে।”
English: “They organized this event with the aim of creating unrest in the country while political activities are banned. Our operations will continue to maintain stability in the country. They already have multiple cases against them.”
Official Police Comment
Madaripur Additional Superintendent of Police Md. Jahangir Alam confirmed that the arrests were made because the banned Awami League was conducting political activities.
Bangla: “আওয়ামী লীগের কার্যক্রম যেখানে নিষিদ্ধ সেখানে তারা কার্যক্রম পরিচালনা করছে। এ কারণে তাদের সেখান থেকে আটক করা হয়েছে। তাদের বিষয়ে মামলা প্রক্রিয়াধীন।”
English: “Wherever the activities of Awami League are banned, they are still conducting programs. That is why they were arrested from the spot. A case is being processed against them.”
Source: Jamuna TV
