Arrested Student Identified as Chhatra League Member, Unable to Sit for Annual Exams

An eighth-grade student, Imran Hossain, who was arrested in Cumilla for identifying himself with the Chhatra League, has been sent to jail. As a result, he could not participate in the annual examinations that began last Thursday (20 November). Imran is a student of Dhalua Multipurpose High School in Nangalkot upazila. Since his arrest, he has been held in Cumilla Central Jail.

Late Monday night, police picked up Imran, son of decorator businessman Ishaq Mia of Chiora village, from his home. The next day, the court ordered his imprisonment.

Police said that SI Alamgir Hossain filed a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act the following day. The case names 25 individuals and accuses 50–60 people in total. Imran has been listed as the sixth accused. The case statement identifies him as a Chhatra League activist.

According to the case statement, 50–60 activists from the Chhatra League, Jubo League and Awami League organised anti-government slogans, flash processions and torch processions at the Montaly Bridge area under Dhalua Union in Nangalkot, protesting against the verdict of the International Crimes Tribunal. Police arrested the first accused on the spot, and based on his information, Imran and others were identified, the police claimed.

However, Imran’s family has denied all allegations. His father, Ishaq Mia, said their family has no involvement in politics. Police suddenly took his son away around 3 am. He went to the police station with the exam admit card but received no assistance. The court also denied bail. He claimed his son has been falsely implicated without any evidence.

Belal Hossain Majumder, the headteacher of the school, said that Imran is a regular student and they have no information indicating his involvement in political activities. He demanded Imran’s release.

When asked whether Imran had any involvement with Chhatra League activities, Nangalkot Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC) A K Fazlul Haque said they did not have any photos or videos of such involvement. However, he added that information from five others arrested that night confirmed Imran’s identity. They claimed Imran was an active member of the banned organisation Chhatra League and took part in a flash procession. For this reason, he was arrested and sent to jail following due process.

Regarding the family’s allegations, OC A K Fazlul Haque stated that the arrest was made based on specific information, and the rest will be clarified through investigation.

Cumilla Superintendent of Police Mohammad Nazir Ahmed Khan said that several incidents occurred in the area following the verdict in Sheikh Hasina’s case. Those arrested on the basis of allegations are currently under investigation. If the allegations are not proven, their names will not be included in the chargesheet.

Khaborwala/TSN