Former secretary, 7 others linked to banned Awami League held in Dhaka

The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police has arrested former secretary Bhuiya Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, along with seven other leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organisations in a case filed with Shahbagh Police Station under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The information was confirmed in a brief message sent by the DMP's Media Wing today (9 September).

Earlier in the day, DB officials arrested Shafiqul Islam from Anandalok Eco Resort in Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali.

According to the case statement, on 5 August, a platform called "Manch 71" was launched with the stated aim of resisting any attempts to erase or distort the history of the Liberation War.

The organisers declared their intention to mobilise public support against such conspiracies, even at the cost of sacrifice.

As part of these activities, a roundtable discussion was scheduled on 28 August at Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) in Segunbagicha.

However, shortly after the programme began around 11am, a group of individuals stormed into the venue chanting slogans. They locked the doors, tore down banners, and harassed several participants.

Although most of the guests were eventually forced out, former minister Abdul Latif Siddique and Prof Sheikh Hafizur Rahman were confined inside for some time. Police later intervened and detained 16 individuals.

Following the incident, Sub-Inspector Amirul Islam filed a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act at Shahbagh Police Station on 29 August.

Bhuiya Shafiqul Islam served as secretary of the Planning Division in 2013 and was appointed secretary to the President's Office in 2015.