The main suspect in the RAB officer's murder said: “If there’s trouble, a public explosion will occur

Mohammad Yasin, the main accused in the murder case of a Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) officer, has warned that any attempts at indiscriminate arrests in the forested area of Salimpur in Sitakunda, Chattogram, could trigger a “major public explosion.” Speaking from his office in Alinagar on Wednesday afternoon, Yasin stressed that authorities must provide the names and addresses of suspects before conducting any operation.

A video of Yasin’s nearly 29-minute speech went viral on social media on Thursday. In it, he denied being a terrorist and claimed that the land in Salimpur was legally purchased by him and his associates, asserting that no one could evict them. He cited a former district commissioner’s failed eviction attempt as evidence of the authorities’ inability to intervene.

Yasin repeatedly threatened public unrest, stating: “If any unforeseen incident occurs in this area, it will lead to a public explosion. The administration will be held responsible for it.” He also questioned the conduct of RAB during Monday’s operation in Salimpur, demanding an investigation into why the raid was carried out. Additionally, Yasin blamed former joint secretary (expelled) of Chattogram North District Jubo Dal, Rokon Uddin, for inciting unrest in the area.

The Monday operation, conducted around 4:00 pm, tragically resulted in the death of RAB-7’s Deputy Assistant Director (Naeb Subedar) Motaleb Hossain Bhuiyan in an armed attack. The case was filed at Sitakunda Police Station on Wednesday night, naming Yasin as the chief accused, along with Nurul Haque Bhandari and 29 others. Another 200 unidentified individuals were also listed as suspects.

According to the case details, RAB personnel were attacked with machetes, axes, and sticks under Yasin’s instructions while attempting to arrest suspects. One detainee was freed, and four RAB members were briefly abducted before being rescued by the army and police.

Salimpur is located just two kilometres west of the Asian University for Women in Bayezid Bostami, Chattogram, covering 3,100 acres. Though administratively part of Sitakunda, it lies close to the city, bordered by Hathazari to the east and Bayezid Bostami to the south. The area’s rugged, hilly terrain has made it a stronghold for criminal groups. For four decades, illegal settlements have proliferated, with ongoing land development and plots being sold, protected by armed gangs. Previous clashes in October 2025 resulted in one death and attacks on journalists covering the area.

Geographical Context of Salimpur:

Police continue their search for Yasin. Sitakunda Police Officer-in-Charge, Mohinul Islam, told First Light, “Yasin made these statements from his Alinagar office. Our operation to apprehend him is ongoing.” Meanwhile, RAB Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman confirmed that over 50 RAB personnel were involved in the Monday raid and that a commission has been formed to investigate the conduct of the operation.