Six people arrested from hotel in Gen Z members’ ‘operation’, police unaware, questions raised

Members of a voluntary organisation named ‘Gen Z Aloron’ have arrested six people from a residential hotel in Ullapara of Sirajganj. The organisation claimed it received complaints of immoral activities at the hotel, involved locals, arrested the six and informed the police. However, questions have been raised over whether members of a voluntary organisation can themselves arrest anyone on any allegation. Police have also said they knew nothing about the matter beforehand.

The six people were arrested from a residential hotel in Hatikumrul Union of Ullapara upazila around 2pm on Sunday. Among them were two women and four men. According to the organisation’s members, the two women are residents of Mokamtola upazila in Bogura. Of the four men, one is the manager of the hotel and the others are residents of Ullapara upazila.

The organisation’s members alleged that men and women from various places had long been brought to the hotel for immoral activities. They claimed local residents had warned the hotel authorities several times but the authorities paid no heed. The statements of the arrested persons regarding these allegations could not be obtained.

‘Gen Z Aloron’ was formed a few months ago with youths from Hatikumrul and surrounding areas. Organisation members Rajibul, Nasim and Ashraful said they went to the hotel on Sunday afternoon after receiving news that immoral activities were under way there. They later arrested six people from inside the hotel and informed the police.

Legal experts said ordinary citizens or members of any voluntary organisation have no scope to take the law into their own hands on the basis of any allegation. Unlawful interference in anyone’s personal life or movement is also unacceptable. If there is any allegation of a crime, the proper course is to inform law enforcement agencies and take necessary measures through the legal process.

Asked who gave permission to enter the hotel or arrest anyone, the organisation’s treasurer Ashraful Islam said they did not feel the need to take anyone’s permission. He claimed that due to allegations of anti-social activities they arrested the individuals and handed them over to the police.

Additional Police Super of Raiganj Circle Saiful Islam said he was not aware of the matter. He added that why the people were arrested and what the actual incident was is being looked into.