Jashore police raid homes of AL leaders in hiding, says its anti-crime effort, no political agenda

Highlights:

• Six AL leaders' homes raided
• Police say move comes after intel that the wanted figures were hiding in homes
• No arrests were made, no drugs or weapons were recovered
• Home affairs adviser yesterday warned of action against flash processions by the AL activists

Police conducted a series of raids at the homes of prominent Awami League (AL) leaders in Jashore, including district General Secretary Shahin Chakladar, this afternoon (20 April). 

According to police, the operations were part of a broader effort to catch individuals wanted in various cases and to recover drugs and weapons, with no political agenda. 

Despite the searches at multiple residences of AL and Jubo League leaders, no arrests were made and nothing was recovered.  

"These raids were not carried out based on any party affiliation," said Abul Hasnat, officer-in-charge (OC) of Jashore Kotwali Model Police Station. 

"It was part of our regular anti-crime drive focusing on drugs and weapons. So far, no arrests have been made," he said.

Despite the official explanation, the raids have stirred anxiety in the local community. 

Local residents reported increased police presence throughout the afternoon and evening, with crowds gathering outside the homes of the raided political figures.

Witnesses said a convoy of seven police vehicles — two from the Detective Branch (DB) and five regular units — first arrived at the Kathatala residence of Shahin Chakladar. 

The house, which was burned during a recent student protest, has been under renovation. Neither Chakladar nor his family members currently reside there.

The police team then visited the homes of Zahid Hossain Milon, former Ward-4 councillor and Jubo League publicity secretary; Shafiqul Islam Jewel, former district Chhatra League organising secretary and Jubo League leader; Saifuzzaman Pikul, former Zilla Parishad chairman and district AL vice-president, and Anwar Hossain Bipul, former Sadar Upazila Parishad vice-chairman.

At Jewel's residence in Kadamtala, his sister-in-law Jyotsna Begum stated that police inquired about Jewel, and after being informed he wasn't staying there, they left without causing any issues.

A police officer involved in the operation said, "We acted on intelligence that individuals accused in ongoing cases were possibly hiding at these residences. Although no one was found, such operations will continue."

Meanwhile, local Awami League leaders and activists alleged that the raids are part of an effort to instill fear, especially after the home affairs adviser's recent statement warning of action against flash processions by the AL activists.