7 SAD leaders arrested in Jhenaidah over bus fire, petrol pump vandalism

The Detective Branch (DB) of district police has arrested seven leaders of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) Jhenaidah district unit over allegations of setting buses on fire and vandalising an oil pump. They were arrested around 2:00 am on Monday, March 9, from Beparipara and Payra Chottor areas in Jhenaidah municipality. Police produced them before court on Monday afternoon.

The arrested individuals are – Jhenaidah district Anti-discrimination Student Movement convener Saidur Rahman, member secretary Ashikur Rahman, senior joint convener Tashdid Hasan, joint convener Antar Mahmud, 'The Red July' convener Abu Hasnat, central youth power member and former joint convener of the district committee Humayun Kabir, and Raser Hossain.

Police said that on Sunday, Nayon, a former member of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement's Jhenaidah district unit, was killed following an altercation over collecting oil from Taj Filling Station. After this incident, three buses were set on fire and a petrol pump was vandalised. In protest, transport workers blockaded the highway the next day demanding justice. They lifted the blockade after assurances from the administration.

Regarding this, Superintendent of Police Md Mahfuz Afzal said a bus owner filed a case at Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station over the vandalism and arson. They have been arrested in that case.

Meanwhile, the accused claimed they were detained at the DB office from midnight and subjected to beating and torture. While being placed in the prison van, they shouted and lodged complaints against the police administration. They also alleged a "political conspiracy" behind the bus arson incident.