Awami League leader Tanvir Islam sent to jail after 'Joy Bangla' slogan at Pabna court premises

Tanvir Islam, a leader of the activities-banned Awami League and former chairman of Atgharia Upazila Parishad, shouted the 'Joy Bangla' slogan at the court premises in Pabna. The court ordered that the leader, arrested in a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act, be sent to Pabna district jail.

On Wednesday, November 11, Tanvir Islam was taken to the Pabna court premises amid tight police security. While being taken from police custody to the court, he claimed himself to be completely innocent.

After getting down from the prison van, while speaking to journalists, he shouted the 'Joy Bangla' slogan and claimed that Sheikh Hasina would return to the country this coming December.

Tanvir Islam is a member of the activities-banned district Awami League and a former chairman of Atgharia Upazila Parishad. He is the son of Shahidul Islam Ratan, president of the Atgharia Upazila Awami League and a former mayor of the municipality. Police said there are specific allegations against him of violating the Anti-Terrorism Act and of sabotage.

After this slogan and political remarks at the court premises, the court, at the end of the legal process, ordered that he be sent to Pabna district jail.

Earlier, on Tuesday, November 10, he was detained from his own village at Abhirampur in Atgharia Upazila. Acting on a tip-off, the local police station raided his home to arrest him. At that time Tanvir, realising the presence of the police, tried to flee through the paddy field behind the house. Police surrounded the area and detained him.

On the incident, Atgharia police station officer-in-charge Sharifuzzaman Sarkar said he had been arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act. After the legal process he was sent to court and the court sent him to jail. He said whoever is involved in anti-state or anti-government breaches of law and order will be brought under the law.