DB: BNP leaders confessed to acts of sabotage, arson

Detective Branch (DB) of police chief Harun-or-Rashid has said that the central BNP leaders in custody admitted to their involvement in the attack on the chief justice's residence and the arson incidents that occurred on October 28. 

“Individuals behind the events on October 28, including throwing cocktails at the chief justice's residence, setting a BRTC bus on fire, and vandalizing the police hospital and an ambulance, have been identified through CCTV footage,” he said while talking to reporters at his office on Minto Road in Dhaka on Wednesday.

“The arrested individuals have also disclosed the names of many others involved. Police have photos of these individuals, and efforts to arrest them are ongoing,” he added.

"At first, the central leaders in our custody claimed that their party members were not behind the sabotage; they were doubtful and thought someone else might be responsible. Then, we presented them (BNP leaders and activists) with CCTV footage and videos from our smart team," the DB chief said.

"We showed the BNP leaders videos of vandalism and arson attacks. In the videos, they saw the actions of central leaders during the rally. Sultan Salahuddin running with a stick, Rabiul Islam Nayan setting fires, and the recovery of gunpowder from the former Chhatra Dal central leader Abu Saeed Mintur's house, to which Mintu confessed. After watching all of this, they also expressed regret, acknowledging that it was wrong," he added.

“BNP leaders should not have engaged in such acts of sabotage,” the DB chief added.

Harun said: "All our police, including DB and local police, patrol various areas around the clock. They are even undercover as bus passengers. Anyone attempting such incidents will face consequences. Our DMP commissioner recently announced a reward of Tk20,000 for those providing information on the culprits."

The DB chief added: "Everyone should collaborate in safeguarding the lives and property of the general public. Government property must be safeguarded, and no form of attack should be tolerated. We are closely monitoring the situation and have identified those involved in these isolated incidents by name. We can apprehend them shortly."

"We have arrested individuals who engaged in destructive activities during the BNP rally. Many participants have been identified, including Syed Hasan Mintu, Jubo Dal's Central Committee agriculture secretary. We found 8kg of gunpowder at his residence, and Mintu confessed to producing it with Bashar and Masud, with assistance from Rabiul Islam Nayan and Sultan Salahuddin," he added.

Harun said: "The Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Lalbagh and Motijheel Divisions have arrested five individuals, including Hasan Howlader, a central Chhatra Dal leader. Hasan started by hurling marbles at the police using a sling in front of the chief justice's residence and also set a BRTC bus on fire. We possess video evidence of Abul Hossain Jewel, vice president of Kabi Nazrul Islam College Chhatra Dal, attacking the police at the Nightingale intersection. Furthermore, two individuals who provided statements in a police murder case under Section 164 implicated Rana Mia, the general secretary of Chhatra Dal's Mugda police station, in the police killing, and we have detained him."

"Kamruzzaman Tuku confessed to burning the bus himself. Hriday admitted to setting fire to areas like Banglamotor, Mouchak flyover, and Kakrail junction. Rabiul Islam Nayan supplied petrol bombs and Molotov cocktails. The key figure leading all these actions is Sultan Salahuddin Tuku. It was under his leadership that buses were set on fire, cocktails were thrown, and petrol bombs ignited from October 28th till now," he further added.