'Form detective teams, I'll supply party men': Jamaat candidate's conversation with Mirsharai OC goes viral
Meanwhile, Chattogram Superintendent of Police (SP) Saiful Islam told TBS that they were aware of the matter. “The issue is being examined. We are looking into the details.”
Jamaat-e-Islami–nominated candidate for Chattogram-1 (Mirsharai) and Deputy Attorney General Saifur Rahman has drawn controversy after a video went viral on social media showing him offering to supply Jamaat-Shibir men to assist police operations in the area.
In the video, recorded at Mirsharai Police Station on 20 November, Saifur Rahman is heard telling Mirsharai Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Atikur Rahman that he is willing to provide manpower to work alongside the police.
"If you need logistic support to work with the police, I will soon provide Shibir-Jamaat people. If you think you need intelligence operatives, form detective teams at the union level -- I will personally supply the men," Saifur tells the OC while discussing ways to curb recent incidents of dacoity in Mirsharai.
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He further said, "If we could catch two or three dacoits and punish them, people would notice stronger action. We want to cooperate. We cannot raid houses ourselves -- they would brand us as dacoits."
In the same video, OC Atikur is heard saying, "At this moment we need your cooperation. Give me at least 15 days, you will see the results. Regarding your first proposal, I'm very happy. Form teams in neighbourhoods; we'll make a WhatsApp group connected to the police. I'll monitor them directly and ensure their safety."
When asked about the video today (28 November), Saifur Rahman told The Business Standard, "I spoke about cooperating with police to prevent dacoity. Leaders of two press clubs and other journalists were also present. The initiative was widely appreciated, and dacoities have already decreased. We formed an anti-dacoity committee aligned with the community policing concept."
He claimed a vested group had "cut and rearranged" parts of his speech to create controversy. "This won't harm my popularity," he added.
However, attempts to reach the Mirsharai OC for comment were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, Chattogram Superintendent of Police (SP) Saiful Islam told TBS that they were aware of the matter. "The issue is being examined. We are looking into the details."
