Satkhira OC, 2 officers transferred amid video controversy

The officer-in-charge (OC) of Satkhira Sadar Police Station and two other officers have been transferred following controversy over a video recorded inside the station’s lock-up showing detained Awami League leaders and activists, according to police and related sources.

OC Masudur Rahman, Duty Officer Pinky Roy and Assistant Duty Officer Aniva Khatun were transferred on Monday (August 17). Masudur Rahman has been attached to the police lines.

District police, however, described the transfers as part of a routine reshuffle and denied that they were linked to the video controversy.

The controversy emerged after four Awami League leaders were arrested from the Sultanpur area of Satkhira town on August 15. They were district Awami League organising secretary Kazi Akhtar Hossain, Kaliganj upazila Awami League member Master Shafiqul Islam, district Tanti League general secretary Alamgir Hossain and former municipal Chhatra League president Sheikh Mostafizur Rahman Shovon.

According to police and other sources, a young man wearing an Argentina football jersey entered the Sadar police station that afternoon and, with the OC’s permission, met several Awami League detainees in the lock-up. He allegedly recorded them without their knowledge, and the footage was later circulated on social media.

In the video, Alamgir Hossain is heard referring to August 15 as National Mourning Day and accusing the police of unlawfully detaining them. He is also seen chanting political slogans, including one expressing support for former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

The recording sparked discussion within police circles, after which the three officers were transferred, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Satkhira Superintendent of Police Abu Saleh Md Ashraful Alam denied any connection between the transfers and the video.

“We are not aware of the video recording. It is also not correct that the OC and the two other officers were withdrawn over the incident. The transfers are part of a routine reshuffle,” he said.