‘Only a sniper was missing’: Man detained after Facebook comment during PM’s Rajshahi visit

A man named Abu Bokor Siddique has been arrested over a Facebook comment referring to a “sniper” during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to Rajshahi on Tuesday (20 October).

Lt Col Faisal Ishtiaq, commander of Rajshahi SRB-5, this morning (22 October) confirmed his detention, while Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Additional Commissioner Shafiqul Islam said Siddique was being brought to Dhaka.

He has been detained, and he will be questioned, Shafiqul, also the DMP Detective Branch chief, added.

On Tuesday, PM Tarique arrived at Shah Makhdum Airport in Rajshahi around 3pm. He then travelled from the airport into the city on a bus from Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (Ruet). Large crowds on both sides of the road welcomed him while the PM waved back from the moving bus.

Meanwhile, a post was published on a Facebook page named “The Beauty of Rajshahi” about the bus used during the PM’s visit. The post included a photograph of the Ruet bus carrying Tarique and questioned its use instead of the red-and-green bulletproof bus the PM generally uses for travel.

In the comments section of that post, Siddique wrote in Bangla, “Alas! It was a huge opportunity. Only a sniper was missing.”

After screenshots of the comment went viral, law enforcement agencies started looking into Siddique while BNP leaders expressed concern about the safety and security of the PM.

Rajshahi city BNP Vice-President Ali Ashraf Masum said, “We were also concerned after seeing the comment on Facebook. The issue of the prime minister’s security is important. It is necessary to investigate whether the comment could be construed as a threat against him.”

Yesterday (21 October), Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Gaziur Rahman said that Siddique was identified and he would face legal action.

He said today that such a comment centring on the PM’s Rajshahi visit was “extremely concerning, criminal, and irresponsible”. “We are taking the matter seriously, and legal action will be taken.”