Weapons recovered from Meherpur Jamaat ameer’s vehicle, 3 detained

Joint forces have recovered a range of local and modern weapons, including a sharp Chinese axe, from a Noah microbus used by Meherpur district Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Maulana Taj Uddin Khan. Three Jamaat activists were detained in connection with the incident.

The recovery and detentions took place on Monday morning, January 26, during a routine joint forces checkpoint at Hotel Bazar four-point intersection in Meherpur town.

The detainees are Jamaat activist and Meherpur district correspondent of Bangla Edition Selim Reza, 27, Shararul Islam, administrator of Maulana Taj Uddin Khan’s Facebook page, and the microbus driver Ijarul Haque.

All three are reportedly involved in various activities of Meherpur district Jamaat-e-Islami.

Meherpur Sadar police sub-inspector BM Rana said that as part of regular security operations, vehicles were being searched at key points in the town. During the search of a white Noah microbus, registration Dhaka Metro-Cha 19-4146, multiple local and modern weapons were recovered.

The seized items include three folding double sticks, one foreign sharp Chinese axe, one electric shocker, one pliers, three walkie-talkies, four chargers and one hand microphone.

The recovered weapons and equipment, along with the microbus, were seized in the presence of an executive magistrate. The three detainees were taken to the police station for further legal proceedings.

Law enforcement officials said investigations are underway to determine the purpose for which the equipment was being carried.

Multiple law enforcement sources said Jamaat-e-Islami central amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman was scheduled to visit Meherpur on Sunday, January 25. Security measures in the district town were tightened ahead of the visit considering possible law and order concerns.

As part of the measures, extensive vehicle checks were launched on Monday morning. The recovery of weapons from the Jamaat amir’s vehicle prompted heightened alert among law enforcement agencies.

Police said they are investigating whether the weapons were intended for political programmes, sabotage or disruption of security, and whether there are links to other individuals or organisations.

Officials said preparations are underway to file a case under the Arms Act.

A senior police officer said law enforcement agencies are on the highest alert to ensure no one takes the law into their own hands centring elections and political activities, adding that there will be zero tolerance for illegal weapons.

No official statement has yet been issued by district Jamaat authorities.