‘Thana arson’ remark figure Mahdi among 3 detained in Habiganj

Police detained Mahdi Hasan, member secretary of the Habiganj district committee of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD), and two others today (17 August) while preparing to hold a protest march in Habiganj.

They detained Mahdi in front of the Court Mosque around 5:30pm as he prepared for the march against load-shedding, higher electricity prices, the gas crisis and soaring commodity prices.

Habiganj Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Zahidul Haque said the organisers had planned the march under the banner of “Students-People” without permission from the administration.

“The administration did not permit the procession due to concerns over possible disorder. When the organisers gathered despite the authorities’ objection, Mahdi Hasan and two others were detained from the scene,” he said.

The two other SAD leaders, Mirza Suman and Rakib, were also detained earlier in the day, while no other leaders, activists or supporters of the organisation were present in the Court Mosque area at the time, according to local sources.

Mahdi came under widespread criticism on 1 January this year after reportedly threatening the OC of Shaistaganj Police Station while visiting the station over the detention of Enamul Hasan Nayan, another SAD leader.

In a video of the incident, Mahdi was heard saying that protesters had brought the government to power and referring to the burning of Baniachong Police Station and the killing of SI Santosh Chowdhury during the July Uprising.

Later, police arrested him on 3 January amid widespread criticism over the remarks. He was granted bail by a court the following day after protests by his supporters.

On 5 August 2024, Baniachong Police Station was attacked, set on fire and looted for weapons during the uprising. Police personnel were held hostage, while SI Santosh Chowdhury was taken away, beaten to death and later found hanging from a tree in front of the station.