Police in Jhenaidah have arrested Tarak Reza, the central joint secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP), in connection with a case involving allegations of assault, vandalism, and issuing death threats.
The arrest took place on Sunday at around 6:30 pm in front of the “Family Zone” auditorium adjacent to Jhenaidah Stadium, where Reza had reportedly arrived to attend an emergency press briefing. According to law enforcement sources, a police team from Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station apprehended him immediately upon his arrival at the venue.
The NCP confirmed the arrest through an official post on its verified Facebook page, drawing attention to the development shortly after it occurred. Police presence at the scene included the Officer-in-Charge of Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station, Mohammad Asaduzzaman, alongside plainclothes personnel and members of intelligence agencies.
Speaking to the media, the OC stated that Reza was named as an accused in a case filed on Saturday by Enamul Kabir, a former vice-president of the district unit of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal. The complaint alleges that Reza and several others were involved in assault, vandalism, and issuing death threats during a recent political confrontation in the district.
Law enforcement officials further confirmed that operations are ongoing to apprehend other individuals named in the same case.
Background to the Incident
Local and party sources indicate that tensions escalated following a visit by Nasiruddin Patwary, the NCP’s chief coordinator, to Jhenaidah on Friday, 22 May. After Friday prayers, a violent altercation reportedly broke out between activists of the NCP and members of the student wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), resulting in clashes, chases, and widespread disruption in the area.
In the aftermath, Tarak Reza himself lodged a separate case at Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station, accusing eight local Chhatra Dal activists of involvement in the violence. However, the situation quickly intensified when Enamul Kabir filed a counter-case the following day, naming Reza and 22 others, alleging retaliatory violence, vandalism, and threats.
The arrest on Sunday is understood to be linked to this counter-case.
Chronology of Events
| Date | Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 22 May (Friday) | Political clash | Violence erupts between NCP activists and Chhatra Dal members after Friday prayers in Jhenaidah |
| 22 May (later) | First case filed | Tarak Reza files complaint naming eight Chhatra Dal activists |
| 23 May (Saturday) | Counter-case lodged | Enamul Kabir files case against Reza and 22 others alleging assault and vandalism |
| 24 May (Sunday, 6:30 pm) | Arrest | Police detain Tarak Reza outside Family Zone auditorium, Jhenaidah |
The situation has heightened political tensions in the district, with both sides accusing each other of instigating violence. Authorities have stated that investigations remain ongoing, and further arrests are possible as the case develops.