Banned Chhatra League Leader Accused of Threatening Mohanpur Police Chief in Rajshahi, Audio Spreads on Facebook

Rakayed Hossain Ruku, a local leader of the banned Chhatra League, has been accused of threatening Atikur Rahman, the officer-in-charge (OC) of Mohanpur Police Station in Rajshahi, by phone, telling him that police officers will still have to work there after December.

An audio recording of the conversation, lasting 2 minutes 29 seconds, has spread on the social media platform Facebook. In the audio, Ruku is heard speaking with the OC about a Chhatra League procession in Mohanpur, harassment of its leaders and activists, and the situation after next December.

In the recording, Ruku is first heard asking after the OC. OC Atikur Rahman said he had newly joined and taken charge of Mohanpur Police Station on November 4. Ruku then introduced himself as a well-known person in the area and said, 'You have come to work in our area as a guest. We want to honour a guest.'

Ruku said the Mohanpur thana Chhatra League had held a procession, that such processions would continue until December, and that police officers would still have to work there after December. He requested the OC not to harass any Chhatra League leader or activist. In reply, the OC said, 'It is not harassment, brother. Mohanpur is a small area. There is no benefit in doing these things.'

Ruku then raised questions about the security situation of police members. He said the OC should ask his own conscience whether police are as safe under the current government as they were during Sheikh Hasina's time, and he also spoke of freeing Bangladesh from this situation.

At one point in the conversation, Ruku said, 'We want justice for the police killings. Cooperate with us. But if you harass any of our activists without reason, brother, I say clearly — you will have to work after December. I will bring you back to Mohanpur Police Station again.'

Ruku ended the call by saying he respects the OC and thanking him. When the OC of Mohanpur Police Station, Atikur Rahman, was phoned for his comment on the matter, he did not respond.

Sabina Yasmin, additional superintendent of police and spokesperson for Rajshahi district police, said they are aware of the matter. Senior police officers are being threatened by phone in various places, she said. The superintendent of police is on leave, and a decision on the matter will be taken when he returns, she added.