In a significant law enforcement operation in Chatmohar, Pabna, two high-profile female leaders of the Upazila Women’s Wing were arrested on Wednesday night, police confirmed. The detainees are Buri Sarkar, 42, former senior vice-president of the now-dissolved Chatmohar Upazila Women’s Wing and daughter of the late Dr. Kobad Hossain, and Rahima Reza, 45, former organisational secretary of the same dissolved committee and spouse of Baluchar Mohalla’s Vice-President Selim Reza.
Officer-in-Charge of Chatmohar Police Station, Md. Monjurul Alam, stated that the arrests were carried out in separate targeted raids under case CR 513/25 (Chat) filed in Pabna Magistrate Court-04. Both women are scheduled to be produced before the court on Thursday, after which they are expected to be remanded to Pabna Jail.
According to police and court records, the case stems from an incident on 23 August at approximately 5 pm at the municipal bus stand. During a programme organised by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Buri Sarkar and Rahima Reza allegedly attacked Advocate Tamanna Aziza Sorna, the general secretary, using local weapons following a prior dispute. The victim subsequently lodged a complaint that included charges of attempted murder and robbery.
The controversy surrounding Rahima Reza intensified earlier, on 1 September, when she was removed from her position as organisational secretary of the dissolved Women’s Wing committee over allegations of involvement in drug trafficking and abuse. The matter attracted considerable attention within Chatmohar’s political circles, highlighting the deepening factional tensions within local party structures.
Observers note that the arrests reflect a broader crackdown on political violence and misconduct in Pabna, as law enforcement agencies respond to repeated incidents of intra-party disputes escalating into criminal acts. Both women, given their former positions, wielded considerable influence in local politics, making their detention a notable development ahead of upcoming party activities in the district.
Summary of Arrests
| Name | Age | Former Position | Relation | Allegations | Date of Incident | Case Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buri Sarkar | 42 | Senior Vice-President, Women’s Wing | Daughter of late Dr. Kobad Hossain | Assault, attempted murder, robbery | 23 Aug | Arrested, remand pending |
| Rahima Reza | 45 | Organisational Secretary, Women’s Wing | Wife of VP Selim Reza | Assault, attempted murder, robbery, drug abuse allegations | 23 Aug | Arrested, remand pending |
These arrests mark a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to curb political violence in the region and signal a stricter approach by authorities towards maintaining law and order among local party leaders.