Ex-MP Azizul Haque Arzu beaten, handed over to police in Mohammadpur

Former Awami League lawmaker from Pabna-2, Khandaker Md Azizul Haque Arzu, 69, was allegedly beaten by several youths before being handed over to police in the capital's Mohammadpur area last night (14 September).

Police said they detained him around 10:30pm in front of the Meena Bazar outlet in Lalmatia, with help from local Chhatra Dal leaders.

Mohammadpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Halim confirmed the incident.

According to police, Arzu sustained injuries during a scuffle while he was being detained. As he suffers from heart disease, he was sent to a doctor accompanied by family members under police guard.

Police said further legal action would be taken against him after the investigation.

However, local sources alleged that several youths beat Arzu before handing him over to police. The youths reportedly identified themselves as central leaders of Chhatra Dal.

A local youth informed police about the incident and took steps to hand Arzu over to them. The two mobile phones belonging to the youth were reportedly smashed because he had alerted the police.

Locals said Arzu had been at a coffee shop in Mohammadpur before the incident. Some of the alleged attackers were also there at the time.

They alleged that after Arzu left the coffee shop, the youths followed him to the area in front of Meena Bazar in Lalmatia and attacked him.

Arzu was elected as an Awami League lawmaker from the Pabna-2 constituency in 2014. His permanent address is in Natiabari village under Aminpur Police Station in Pabna.

However, the incident report did not specify the reason for his detention or mention whether he had been shown arrested in any case.