249 released after police raid on JaSaD office, 29 held for verification

Police have released 249 of the 278 people detained during a raid on the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JaSaD) headquarters in Gulistan, Dhaka, while the identities of the remaining 29 are being verified.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Sakibul Alam Bhuiyan said Sunday (September 27) that police had obtained lists and other documents from JaSaD leaders and released those whose identities were confirmed. A decision on the remaining detainees will be taken after the verification process, he said. No case has been filed over the incident so far.

Police raided the JaSaD office on Saturday afternoon and took people found inside to Paltan Police Station.

DMP officials said the operation followed information that leaders and activists of the Awami League, whose political activities are banned, had gathered at the office with JaSaD members allegedly to prepare for sabotage or other unlawful activities.

JaSaD rejected the allegation, saying a central representatives’ meeting was being held at the office. The party also alleged that BNP and Jubo Dal activists had entered and attacked the premises before police began taking people into custody.

Among those detained was journalist leader Abu Jafar Surjo, a former president of a faction of the Dhaka Union of Journalists. He was released around 5am Sunday after nearly 15 hours in custody.

Surjo said he had gone to the office to perform professional duties and meet former political colleagues.

He alleged that local Jubo Dal activists led by Rabiu Islam Nayan helped create a mob and attack the office, a claim that could not be independently verified.