Highlights
- Awami League union leader Mohammad Selim was handed over to police by locals in Sitakunda.
- A Jamaat leader allegedly went to the police station to secure his release.
- A Jamaat worker went live on Facebook with these claims.
- The worker, Rubel Ansari, was later expelled from the party for “indiscipline.”
Incident in Sitakunda
In Sitakunda, Chattogram, locals handed over a union-level Awami League leader to police. Soon after, a local Jamaat-e-Islami leader reportedly appeared at the police station, allegedly trying to get the Awami League leader released.
The controversy began when a Jamaat worker went live on Facebook, claiming that a Jamaat leader was negotiating to free the Awami League figure. Following this Facebook Live, the worker was expelled from the party.
Expulsion of Jamaat Worker
The expelled worker has been identified as Md. Rubel Ansari, a member of Ward No. 7 of Sitakunda Municipality. According to a press release issued by the party’s upazila branch, he was expelled on Wednesday night (17 September), though the news only became public on Thursday night.
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Party sources said that on Sunday, Mohammad Selim, a union Awami League leader and UP member, was handed over to the police by Jamaat leaders and activists of the municipality. At that time, Jamaat’s upazila-level leader Md. Jahangir also went to the police station. During this incident, Rubel Ansari went live on Facebook, claiming that Jahangir was attempting to secure Selim’s release.
Arrest of the Awami League Leader
Police confirmed that Mohammad Selim is a member of the Union Awami League and also the former general secretary of Ward No. 7. He has been shown arrested in a case related to an attack on BNP leaders and activists.
The case dates back to after 5 August last year, and Selim is currently in jail.
Statement of the Expelled Worker
After being expelled, Rubel Ansari defended himself, claiming he had been unfairly punished.
He said:
“আমি নিজেই আওয়ামী লীগ নেতাকে ধরে থানায় নিয়েছি। এ সময় আমার সঙ্গে দলের অন্তত ১০ জন কর্মী ছিলেন। কিছুক্ষণের মধ্যে মো. জাহাঙ্গীর আওয়ামী লীগ নেতাকে ছেড়ে দেওয়ার জন্য সুপারিশ করেন। দলের দায়িত্বশীলেরা কোনো রকম তদন্ত না করে এ ঘটনায় আমাকে বহিষ্কার করেছে।”
Translation: “I myself caught the Awami League leader and handed him over to the police. At that time, at least 10 party workers were with me. Soon after, Md. Jahangir recommended releasing the Awami League leader. Without any investigation, the party expelled me over this incident.”
Party’s Explanation
The expulsion notice stated that Rubel Ansari made “baseless and motivated statements” on Facebook Live. According to the party, his claims that a Jamaat leader tried to release an Awami League leader were false and harmed the organization’s reputation.
Jamaat Leadership’s Position
Speaking on the matter, Mizanur Rahman, the Ameer of Sitakunda Upazila Jamaat, said:
“রুবেল আনসারী দলের শৃঙ্খলা ভঙ্গ করেছেন। তাই দলের দায়িত্বশীল নেতাদের সিদ্ধান্তে তাকে বহিষ্কার করা হয়েছে।”
Translation: “Rubel Ansari violated party discipline. Therefore, he has been expelled based on the decision of responsible party leaders.”
However, when asked directly about the allegation that a Jamaat leader tried to secure the release of the Awami League leader, Mizanur Rahman declined to comment.
Source: Ittefaq
