Abu Sayeed Chand, the convener of Rajshahi district unit BNP, has been taken on a 5-day remand in a case filed over his recent “death threat” hurled against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Rajshahi Judicial Magistrate Mahbub Alam granted the remand on Thursday noon. The police had produced the 66-year-old before the court and sought a 10-day remand earlier in the day.
Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) arrested Chand around 11am on Thursday from the city’s Bheripara-Court area, in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act with Puthia police station. He was trying to escape on a car, said RMP Commissioner Anisur Rahman.
Addressing a press conference after the BNP leader’s arrest, Anisur said, “The police conducted drives in different parts of Rajshahi on Thursday. Chand was trying to leave the city in a car. He was arrested by a police team while trying to cross a check post.
On May 19, Chand allegedly threatened the prime minister while speaking at a public rally, organised by the district unit BNP, at Shibpur High School ground in Puthia Upazila of Rajshahi.
"No more 27- or 10-point demand, just one point now – send Sheikh Hasina to the grave! We will do whatever is necessary to get Sheikh Hasina to resign,” he had said.
Meanwhile, a video of the threat went viral on social media, triggering a storm of protests among Awami League leaders and supporters. Several cases have been lodged against the BNP leader in different parts of the country.
