Case under Special Powers Act against former MP and 43 others in Mohanganj, one Chhatra League leader arrested

In Mohanganj, Netrokona, a case has been filed under the Special Powers Act against former Member of Parliament Sajjadul Hasan and leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and its associate organisations. A leader of the upazila BNP filed the case as complainant.

Upazila BNP joint general secretary Md Mazharul Islam, also known as Sangram, filed the case at Mohanganj Police Station on Wednesday night, alleging a torch procession with intent to commit sabotage, road blockade and creating panic among the public.

This morning, Thursday, Mohanganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Hafizul Islam Harun confirmed the case.

Former MP Sajjadul Hasan has been made the prime accused in the case. Also named are upazila Awami League president and former municipal mayor Latibur Rahman Ratan, general secretary and former upazila council chairman Shahid Iqbal, Jubo League convener Shafiqul Islam Mamun and Chhatra League joint convener Mahmud Al Nur Samapta, among 43 named accused. Another 100 to 150 unidentified people have also been accused.

According to the case statement, at around 7:30pm on November 9, leaders and activists of the banned Chhatra League, Awami League and Jubo League gathered on the paved road south of the Model Mosque in Kajiyati area of Mohanganj upazila, allegedly with intent to commit sabotage. To make the Awami League's announced strike and blockade on November 10 successful, they took out a torch procession and blocked the road.

The statement alleges that at that time objectionable slogans and abuse were directed at various government figures, and attempts were made to damage vehicles.

The case accuses former MP Sajjadul Hasan and senior leaders of instigating, conspiring in and assisting the procession.

A relative of Sajjadul Hasan, who did not want to be named, said Sajjadul Hasan had been involved in various development activities in the neglected haor region and the district. As far as they knew, he had never harmed anyone.

The relative said his house was vandalised, set on fire and looted on August 5. On Tuesday night too, the house was vandalised, looted and set on fire. Now he himself has been made the prime accused in the case, which the relative described as very sad.

OC Hafizul Islam Harun said a case has been filed under the Special Powers Act. Chhatra League leader Zubaed Ahmed, of the banned organisation, has already been arrested. The allegation will be investigated further and necessary legal action will be taken, he said.

Earlier, on Tuesday evening, a video of a torch procession led by upazila Chhatra League joint convener Mahmud Al Nur Samapta spread on social media. Shortly afterwards, former MP Sajjadul Hasan's house at Doulatpur in Mohanganj was attacked, vandalised and set on fire. At the same time, six more houses belonging to top leaders of the Awami League and its associate organisations were attacked, vandalised and set on fire.

A case has also been filed at the railway police station over the arson attack on the intercity Haor Express train in Mohanganj, Netrokona. An unspecified number of leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organisations have been accused.