Six Awami League Leaders Arrested in Bogura Raids

Police have arrested six leaders affiliated with the Awami League, Jubo League and Krishak League during separate operations carried out across three upazilas in Bogura district. The arrests were made in connection with multiple criminal cases involving allegations of sabotage, violence, explosives-related offences and assaults, according to law enforcement officials.

Following the completion of legal formalities on Thursday (30 July), all six detainees were produced before a court, which ordered that they be sent to Bogura District Jail pending further legal proceedings.

The arrests took place on Wednesday (29 July) during a series of coordinated police operations conducted at different locations and private residences. Those detained include two leaders of the Awami League, two members of the Jubo League and two leaders of the Krishak League.

Sherpur Police Station Sub-Inspector Zahidul Islam said Abdul Hannan, 48, General Secretary of the Mirzapur Union Awami League, was arrested at around 6:00 pm from the Mirzapur Bazar area following a tip-off. About an hour and a half later, police arrested Tofazzal Hossain, 55, President of the Shahbandegi Union Krishak League, from the Kanaikandar area.

Police said Abdul Hannan is a named accused in a case filed with Sherpur Police Station on 28 September 2024. Investigators later found evidence of Tofazzal Hossain’s alleged involvement during the course of the investigation, after which he was also included as an accused in the same case.

In a separate operation, Sonatala Police Station Officer-in-Charge Kabir Hossain said Moniruzzaman Thandu, a member of the upazila Jubo League, was arrested from his residence in Chhoto Balua village under Balua Union at approximately 1:45 am on Wednesday night. He is the son of the late Abul Sarkar. According to police, he is an accused in a case involving allegations of a cocktail bomb explosion and the assault of a BNP activist. After completing the required legal procedures, he was also presented before the court on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Dhunat Police Station Officer-in-Charge Atikul Islam said officers conducted another overnight operation in connection with two sabotage cases, leading to the arrest of three additional political leaders. They were identified as Arifur Rahman Dulal, 52, Labour Affairs Secretary of the Goshaibari Union Awami League; Sumon, 36, Joint General Secretary of the Dhunat Municipal Jubo League; and Sohel Talukdar, 42, General Secretary of the Choukibari Union Krishak League.

Police stated that all six individuals face allegations in various criminal cases related to sabotage, the use of explosive materials, violent attacks and other incidents of unrest. Investigators said the arrests were carried out as part of ongoing efforts to execute warrants and advance investigations into those cases.

After hearing the matters on Thursday, the court ordered that all six accused be remanded to Bogura District Jail while the respective investigations and judicial proceedings continue.