'Viral Mizan' arrested for obstructing illegal power connection disconnection drive

Police have arrested Mizanur Rahman Mizan, popularly known as 'Viral Mizan' on social media, over allegations of obstructing government work and engaging in altercations with law enforcement personnel while authorities were disconnecting illegal electricity connections in Agargaon, Dhaka.

Kafrul Police Station arrested Mizan from the Agargaon area on Sunday afternoon. He was later produced before a court in a case filed over obstruction of government work.

Kafrul Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Saiful Islam said as part of regular drives, the power department was disconnecting illegal electricity connections from footpaths and various structures on Sunday. As part of this, officials including an executive magistrate went to Agargaon to disconnect an illegal connection at Mizan's shop.

Police said Mizan obstructed their work and engaged in an argument. At one point, he allegedly assaulted city corporation workers and police personnel. He was later arrested and taken to the police station. He was shown arrested in the relevant case and produced before the court.

Mizan's side of the story could not be immediately known.

Mizanur Rahman gained social media fame for running a small rice shop on a footpath in Agargaon. His shop gained attention for offering a plate of rice, beef, potato and dal for just Tk 100.

With his unique food serving style and various videos of his shop going viral on social media, Mizan became known as 'Viral Mizan'. His shop also gained online recognition as the 'poor man's buffet'.

The shop's name was also unique: "Eat with your own hands, eat 14 times." The shop became particularly popular among low and middle-income people for offering relatively more food at low prices.

While social media fame quickly turned him into a familiar face, Mizan now finds himself arrested in a police case over allegations of illegal electricity connection and obstructing government work. The truth of the allegations and the subsequent proceedings will be determined through the court process.