Police detained three activists of the banned Bangladesh Awami Jubo League while they were holding a flash procession on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Cumilla’s Chandina on Friday (September 18).
The three were detained around 1:30pm in the Tirchar-Lajair area, located near the borders of Chandina, Daudkandi and Muradnagar upazilas.
The detainees were identified as Md Sarwar, 16, son of Abdul Aziz of Hatash village under Bangra Police Station; Saddam Hossain, 27, son of the late Shishu Mia of Daulbari village; and Sarwar Hossain Rakib, 30, son of Zainal Abedin of Chechrapukur ia village in Debidwar.
According to local sources, a procession was brought out from the Lajair area of Muradnagar on the Chattogram-bound lane of the highway around 1pm, reportedly led by former Debidwar upazila chairman Mamunur Rashid Mamun.
Police chased the procession as it moved towards Tirchar in Chandina. Three people were detained while others managed to flee.
Local sources said slogans including “Sheikh Hasina will return, Bangladesh will smile” were chanted during the procession. Police also recovered a banner of Cumilla North District Jubo League and several national flags from the detainees.
Chandina Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Nuruzzaman said the three were detained while police were patrolling the highway.
He said the area where they were detained falls under Muradnagar Police Station’s jurisdiction. The detainees will therefore be handed over to Muradnagar police.
