Child, elderly man among four sent to jail from Awami League leader's home

Police have arrested and sent to jail four people, including a 75-year-old man, two women and a six-year-old child, following a raid at the home of a banned Awami League leader in Ukhia, Cox's Bazar. They were released on bail after a court granted it on Monday, April 13.

Allegations have been raised that the arrests were made as 'retaliation' after the leader's brother fled while being taken away by police.

Ukhia Police Station conducted the raid on Saturday night in the Shekhpara area of Rajapalong. All those arrested are family members of Rajapalong Union Awami League President Salahuddin Member. They are Salahuddin's father Jafar Alam, his wife Rozina Akhter, his brother Mizan's wife Farzana Hakim Nithur, and his six-year-old niece Maira.

According to sources, police surrounded Salahuddin Member's home on Saturday night and detained his younger brother Mizan. Mizan fled while handcuffed on the way to the police station. Additional police then went to the scene and arrested other family members, taking them to the police station. The four were sent to jail through court on Sunday afternoon.

Ukhia Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mujibur Rahman claimed that family members helped Mizan escape by assaulting police. A case has been filed on various charges, including assault on police. Fifteen people have been named in the case, with 10-15 others listed as unidentified.

Regarding the child being sent to jail with her mother, the OC said police did not arrest the six-year-old. However, her mother is the main accused in the assault case. With no one to look after the child, the mother herself expressed interest in taking the child with her for safety reasons. They were later produced before the court.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Ukhia-Teknaf Circle) Rakibul Hasan said when trying to arrest a convict sentenced to six months, he fled while handcuffed. A case of assault on police has been filed in this incident. Two women and an elderly man have been arrested in the case. At the family's request, the child was sent to court with her mother.

Deputy Jailer of Cox's Bazar District Jail Nobel Dev said elderly Jafar Alam, Rozina and Farzana arrived at the jail around 8:00 pm with other accused. Farzana's daughter was also kept with her.

The arrest of an elderly man, two women and a child has sparked anger among locals. Many have described sending the child to jail with her mother as an inhumane act. Strong criticism and protests have also been voiced on social media.

They were released on bail after a Cox's Bazar court granted it on Monday afternoon. At the jail gate, child Maira said the night in jail was not good. Her mother Farzana said, "My daughter did not sleep all night. We had committed no crime. Allah will judge." After being released on bail, the child was seen smiling at the jail gate. She said she was very happy that everyone, including her grandfather, had been freed.