Journalist, Jamaat leaders detained

A leader of a faction of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) was held Tuesday as police raided a residence in Feni’s Sonagazi and picked up nine women leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islam Bangladesh.

BFUJ central committee president M Abdullah was visiting his sister’s house in Ward-3 of Sonagazi, at the same time as a clandestine meeting of Jamaat, the party without registration was being held on the property, according to police.

At around 8 pm, police raided the house and broke up the alleged meeting, making ten arrests. The arrestees included the nine leaders and activists of Jamaat, all women, and journalist leader Abdullah- although police say they are merely interrogating him.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Masukur Rahman of Sonagazi Circle confirmed the arrests, adding that jihadi literature and anti-government propaganda, a membership list and written action plans were also recovered during the raid.

A case was being prepared against them, the ASP said.

M Abdullah said, “Police arrested me while I was visiting my sister’s house. I have no idea who was in that house.”