Police in Gopalganj have arrested Hafizur Rahman, also known as Piyal, the owner of FNF Convention Hall and Party Centre, following a concert where slogans in support of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina were raised.
Rahman was arrested by Gopalganj Sadar police on Tuesday morning and was subsequently sent to jail through the court. Police said he had been shown arrested in an earlier case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The incident occurred on Monday evening at Gopalganj Poura Park, where a concert had been organised to mark the grand opening of FNF Convention Hall and Party Centre. Singer Mainul Ahsan Noble was scheduled to perform at the event.
The concert began in the evening. At one point, people in the audience started chanting slogans supporting Sheikh Hasina. Organisers reportedly attempted to stop the chanting and maintain the character of the event as a musical programme.
An announcement was also made from the stage saying that the gathering was not a political programme. The slogans, however, continued despite the appeal. The concert was eventually brought to an end at around 9.15pm.
The incident subsequently led to police action, with authorities citing both the lack of prior permission and disorder at the venue.
Gopalganj Superintendent of Police Md Habibullah said the organisers had not obtained police permission before arranging the concert. He said disorder had developed at the venue and that there were allegations that supporters and activists of a political organisation had gathered there.
According to the police chief, these circumstances led to Rahman’s arrest under the Anti-Terrorism Act. He was later produced before the court and sent to jail.
When asked about the complainant and the contents of the case statement, the superintendent of police did not provide specific details. He said the police had proceeded with the case and submitted Rahman to the court in accordance with the relevant legal process.
Gopalganj Sadar police station sources said Rahman had been shown arrested in a previously filed case under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The available information did not specify further details of the allegations contained in that case.
Rahman’s family background has also drawn attention. His father, Khalid Hossain, is the treasurer of the Tungipara upazila Awami League and a former chairman of Barni Union Parishad.
The episode has brought renewed attention to the regulation of public gatherings and the political sensitivities surrounding events in Gopalganj. The organisers’ decision to hold the concert without prior police permission and the political slogans raised during the programme are central to the police account of the incident.
At the same time, the police have said that Rahman was arrested in connection with an earlier case rather than a newly filed case arising solely from Monday night’s concert. The precise allegations against him will be determined through the legal proceedings.
No further details about the case, including the identity of the complainant or the full contents of the first information report, were immediately available.
