Police have arrested six people, including five Chhatra League activists, in separate operations in Tongi, Gazipur, amid questions after political slogans were reportedly raised inside a police station.
Five of the arrests were made at Tongi West Police Station, while another person was detained by Tongi East Police Station on Sunday (30 August).
According to eyewitnesses, several relatives and supporters waiting inside Tongi East Police Station began chanting ‘Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu, Joy Netr i Sheikh Hasina’ as the arrested individuals were being taken to a vehicle to be produced before a court. The incident has prompted questions about political activity within a police station, an institution expected to maintain a controlled and orderly environment.
The reported chants took place while the arrested individuals were being transferred from police custody. The incident was recorded by several journalists present at the station.
Some of the journalists alleged that the officer-in-charge of Tongi East Police Station and the relevant assistant police commissioner later asked them to delete footage showing the slogans from their mobile phones. They claimed that some recordings were subsequently deleted. However, the specific reason for the alleged request, as well as the full circumstances surrounding the incident, could not be independently verified.
The episode has also raised questions among local residents about how political chanting was allowed to take place inside a police station. They questioned whether such incidents could affect discipline and the maintenance of law and order within police premises.
Residents have also called for clarification over the alleged deletion of journalists’ footage. If the allegation is established, they said, the reasons behind any such instruction should be clearly explained by the relevant authorities.
The five people arrested by Tongi West Police Station were identified as Md Faruk, 28, a resident of Mondal Market in the Baro Dewra area; Alamin, 31, from Jhenaigati in Sherpur; Sakibul Hossain, also known as Sakib, 19, from Maijdee in Noakhali; Shihab, 27, from Dohar in Dhaka; and Minhaj Masum, 28, from Mohanganj in Netrokona.
According to information provided by police, Faruk is a member of Chhatra League, while Alamin is described as an active member. Sakibul Hossain is the vice-president of the organisation’s Ward 51 unit, and Minhaj Masum is a member of the executive committee of Gazipur Metropolitan Chhatra League. Police did not provide information about any organisational position held by Shihab.
Meanwhile, Md Matin, 45, a resident of the Morkun Masterpara area under Tongi East Police Station, was also arrested.
Tongi East Police Station Officer-in-Charge Maksudul Alam said cases had been filed against the arrested individuals under the applicable laws and that arrangements were being made to send them to court.
He said police were maintaining strict vigilance to keep the law-and-order situation under control. Individuals found to be involved in acts of sabotage would be identified through investigation and brought under the law, he added.
The police official also said that no one involved in such activities would be given any concession.
Police said their operations would continue as part of efforts to maintain law and order in the Tongi area. The reported political slogans inside the police station, along with the allegation that journalists were asked to delete related footage, have nevertheless raised separate questions about conduct and oversight within police premises.
