Death of Imam Rais: 21 arrested over clashes during protest in Ctg

Police arrested 21 supporters of Bangladesh Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat and Islami Chhatra Sena following clashes with law enforcement during yesterday's pre-announced road blockade protest in Chattogram.

The protest was held to demand justice for the killing of Maulana Rais Uddin, former president of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Sena's Dhaka unit and an imam, in Gazipur last month.

According to police, nine individuals were arrested under the Chandgaon Police Station and twelve under the Panchlaish Police Station.

Chandgaon police reported that nine more individuals were arrested in various areas of Bahaddarhat today (6 May), following the filing of a case last night.

A press release from Chandgaon Police Station stated that police arrested the nine individuals during operations in the Bahaddarhat area under Section 15(3) of the Special Powers Act of 1974 at around 12:00pm today.

The arrestees were identified as Md Abdul Hamid Rojbi (46), Imam of Habilder Bari Jame Mosque Md Mainuddin (50), Syed Abdullah Al Foysal Qaderi (40), Md Abu Bakkar (29), Md Jashim Uddin (38), Yamliha Bin Hossain (20), Md Ziauddin Hasan (21), Md Atik Jawad (20), and Md Ehshan Uddin (21), muezzin of Badurtola Jame Mosque.

Earlier yesterday afternoon, 18 individuals were initially detained from the Muradpur area. Of these, 12 were later formally arrested after the filing of a case, according to Panchlaish Police.

In a separate press release, Panchlaish Police said from 9:15 am to 12:30pm yesterday, members of pro-Barlevi movement organisations - Islami Front, its student wing Islami Chhatra Sena and Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat - without prior permission, organised a protest rally, road and rail blockade at the Muradpur intersection.

Armed with wooden and bamboo sticks, as well as bricks and stones, they allegedly carried out acts of sabotage and vandalised public transport and property, adds the press statement.

When police officers arrived at the scene to ensure public safety and prevent destruction, the protestors reportedly attacked them and hurled bricks. As a result, several officers, including Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Solaiman, ASI Muslim Uddin, and Constables Md. Ashraf Uddin, Md. Rafiqul Islam, and Md. Abu Shakil sustained injuries.

To disperse the protestors and prevent further damage, police used tear gas, sound grenades, and gas shells under orders from higher authorities.

Twelve individuals were arrested from the surrounding area of the incident. They were identified as Ariful Islam Yasin (23), Md. Abdul Malek (19), Md. Khaled Bin Hossain (19), Md. Osman Gani (19), Md. Rakib Hasan (22), Imam Hossain (19), Abdul Kader Mohammad Nakib (21), Abu Sufian (23), Md. Zahidul Islam alias Rashed (19), Mostafa Hossain Soyaib (23), Borhan Uddin (22), and Enamul Haque Hasan (23).

All the arrestees, along with unnamed and fugitive suspects, have been charged under the Special Powers Act of 1974 for obstructing police duties, attacking officers, causing injuries, and damaging government and private property through subversive activities.

Advocate Abu Naser Talukder, the convener of the Bangladesh Islami Lawyers Front's Chattogram district unit, and Advocate Muhammad Faridul Islam, the member secretary, told journalists at the Chattogram court premises on Tuesday afternoon that most of those arrested are imams, muezzins, and madrasa students from various mosques in the city. They have no involvement in any acts of sabotage or violence. "We submitted bail petitions in two cases, but the court has rejected them," they said.

Meanwhile, in protest of the arrests and what they claimed was an attack on a peaceful program, leaders and activists of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat and Islami Chhatra Sena held a black flag rally and protest meeting at the Chattogram Press Club on Tuesday afternoon.

They demanded the unconditional release of the arrested members and justice for the killing of Maulana Rais Uddin.

Who is Rais Uddin

Rais Uddin, who was the imam and khatib of the Akhladul Jame Mosque in Haidarabad area in Gazipur's Pubail, was accused of sexually violating a male madrasah student and allegedly drugging and sexually abusing other young boys. 

He was reportedly tied to a tree and beaten by locals before being handed over to the police on 27 April. He died in the early hours of 28 April after being sent to jail by a court.

Chhatra Sena and activists of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat have held several programmes in recent days, including protests and human chains in different parts of the country, demanding justice for the death of Rais. Yesterday's road blockade in Chattogram was part of their continued demand for justice.