Police in Shariatpur have arrested a local Union Parishad member in connection with a case involving a road blockade, vandalism of vehicles and crude bomb explosions at the southern toll plaza of the Padma Bridge in Jajira.
The arrested man, identified as Jasim Mridha, 42, is a member of Ward No. 7 of Bikenagar Union Parishad and also serves as a panel chairman of the local council. He is reportedly the organising secretary of the Jubo League in the same union.
He was arrested on Saturday evening, 14 November, from the Nawdoba Bazar area of Jajira Upazila following a tip-off, according to police.
Police sources said the incident took place at around 1.30am on 9 November, when activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations staged a demonstration and blocked the road in front of the southern toll plaza of the Padma Bridge.
During the demonstration, several vehicles were reportedly attacked and vandalised. Multiple crude bombs, locally known as cocktails, were also detonated in the area, creating panic and disrupting traffic.
The incident forced authorities to suspend toll collection for approximately an hour. As a result, vehicles formed long queues on both sides of the bridge, causing significant disruption for commuters and other road users. The temporary closure of the toll plaza also affected the movement of vehicles along one of Bangladesh’s most important transport links.
Following the incident, Sub-Inspector (SI) Akram of Padma Bridge South Police Station filed a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act on 12 November.
According to the case documents, 251 people have been named as accused, while another 600 to 700 unidentified individuals have also been included in the complaint. Jasim Mridha is listed as the 127th named accused in the case.
Confirming the arrest, Padma Bridge South Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Abdus Salam said Mridha had been detained in connection with the case and was among those specifically named in the First Information Report (FIR).
He added that police operations were continuing to identify and arrest other individuals allegedly involved in the incident. Legal proceedings against the arrested local government representative were also under way, the OC said.
The case has drawn attention because the incident disrupted traffic at a major national infrastructure facility. The Padma Bridge plays a significant role in connecting the south-western region with the capital and other parts of the country. Any prolonged disruption at its toll plazas can affect passenger movement, commercial transport and the wider road network.
Police have already arrested eight activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations in connection with the same case. They have been sent to court.
The latest arrest brings another local political figure under investigation as police continue their efforts to apprehend the remaining accused. However, the allegations against those named in the case will be subject to judicial proceedings.
