Police release 249 detained from JaSaD office, hold 29 for verification

Police have released 249 of the 278 people detained from the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JaSaD) office in Dhaka, while 29 remain in custody for identity checks.

Police raided the office in Paltan on Saturday after receiving information that members of the Awami League, which is banned from carrying out political activities, had gathered there for a "secret meeting". JaSaD denied the allegation.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Motijheel Division Assistant Commissioner Sakibul Alam Bhuiyan told bdnews24.com on Sunday that police were still verifying the identities of the remaining 29.

"We collected a list of JaSaD leaders and activists and, after verification, released the 249 whose identities were confirmed," he said.

"The remaining 29 are still in custody while their identities are checked. A decision will be made once that process is complete."

No case has been filed over the incident so far, Sakibul added.

Paltan police raided the JaSaD office after noon on Saturday, detaining those present.

A series of prison vans arrived at the scene to take handcuffed detainees from the office to the police station.

Among those detained was journalist Abu Jafar Surjo, former president of a faction of the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ).

He was released at around 5am on Sunday, nearly 15 hours later.

Surjo told bdnews24.com he had previously been involved in JaSaD politics but was now largely inactive.

He said he had gone to the office while JaSaD's central representative council meeting was under way, both for professional reasons and to meet former political colleagues.

"The meeting was going on when I heard a commotion and slogans at the main gate downstairs. I went down and identified myself to police as a journalist, but they handcuffed and detained me anyway.

"They ignored my identity card and held me at the station for hours. After several rounds of questioning, I was released around 5am."

Surjo criticised the conduct of police and local leaders of the Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, the BNP's youth wing.

He said the behaviour of police was initially "unacceptable" but later changed. He also alleged that a "mob" led by local Jubo Dal leader Robiul had attacked the JaSaD office.

Robiul could not immediately be reached for comment.

JaSaD said it had informed police about Saturday's central representative council meeting and obtained written permission to hold it.

DMP Motijheel Division Deputy Commissioner Harun Or Rashid said during the raid that police had received information that members of the Awami League and its affiliates had gathered at the office "for sabotage or other malicious purposes".

"We're verifying their actual purpose, what information they have and what they did here," he said, adding that police had also received reports of "Joy Bangla" slogans outside the office.

Those found to have been involved in wrongdoing would face legal action, while others would be released, he said.

DMP Deputy Commissioner for Media and Public Relations Md Akhtar Hossain said during the operation that police were taking people from the office for questioning based on reports about the meeting and the slogans.

Paltan Police Station Sub-Inspector Nazmul Hossain had earlier estimated that at least 400 people were inside the office when the raid began.

Sajjad Hossain, JaSaD's office secretary, alleged that BNP and Jubo Dal leaders stormed the office at around 2:30pm, disrupting the council meeting attended by around 350 leaders from across the country.

"They attacked our meeting. We're barricaded inside. Police are coming, they may make arrests," he said at the time.

Sajjad later said police removed the BNP and Jubo Dal men from the office before detaining JaSaD leaders and activists.

No immediate comment could be obtained from the BNP or Jubo Dal on that allegation.

Dhaka South Jubo Dal Member Secretary Robiul was seen at the scene at around 2:30pm, alleging that Awami League leaders were holding a "secret meeting" inside.

JaSaD denied the allegation, saying its council meeting was under way and that no Awami League members were present.

Spectrum price: Will Bangladesh continue its perilous path?