A former Kurigram district Awami League leader was arrested after allegedly attempting to evade police by escaping from the roof of his home, sustaining injuries in the process.
Minhazul Islam Ayub, a former deputy publicity secretary of the Kurigram district Awami League and former president of the district Chhatra League, was injured while trying to flee when police arrived at his residence in Sannyasi village of Holokhana Union in Kurigram Sadar Upazila.
He was also a former acting chairman of the Kurigram District Council.
The incident took place at around 1.30am on Thursday, according to police. Kurigram Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Kamal Hossain confirmed the arrest later that afternoon.
Police said Ayub was taken into custody while injured and admitted to the 250-bed Kurigram General Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.
According to police and local sources, arrest warrants had been issued against Ayub in two cases, including a case concerning the killing of Ashiq during the July violence. The cases are registered as GR-319/24 (Kurigram) and GR-321/24 (Kurigram).
Police launched the operation after receiving information that Ayub was staying at his home in Sannyasi village. A team from Kurigram Sadar Police Station went to the residence at around 1.30am and surrounded the house.
Police officers reportedly called out to those inside, but received no response. At that point, Ayub became aware of the police presence and attempted to escape through the roof.
According to the police account, he tried to descend from the rear of the house but fell onto a tin fence. The fall caused injuries to his foot, including a cut to one of his toes and a suspected fracture.
Police subsequently recovered him from the scene and took him to the district general hospital for medical treatment. He was then shown as arrested in connection with the cases.
OC Kamal Hossain said Ayub had been wanted in the two cases and was considered a fugitive accused in both. He said police had acted on confidential information regarding Ayub’s presence at his residence.
The officer said the police team initially attempted to secure the house by calling out to its occupants. When there was no response, the situation developed into an attempt by Ayub to leave through the roof, during which he was injured.
The arrest comes against the backdrop of ongoing legal proceedings in cases linked to violence and deaths during the July unrest. Police have continued to execute arrest warrants against individuals accused in such cases, with those taken into custody being dealt with according to the relevant legal procedures.
Police said Ayub will be produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court in Kurigram after he receives the necessary medical treatment. The court will determine the next stage of the legal proceedings.
