4 'activists' of Hizb-ut Tawhid detained

Detectives arrested four suspected Hizb-ut Tawhid activists including two women from a rented house in Nagra area of Netrakona town early yesterday.

The arrestees are Mohammad Moniruzzaman, 33, and his wife Sumaiya Akhtar, 23, from Sherpur sadar; Parul Akhtar, 30, from Nalitabari upazila in Sherpur; and Sujon Hawlader, 28, from Shariatpur district, police said.

Parul's husband AKM Abdul Hye managed to flee the scene, added police.

Abul Kayes Akanda, officer-in-charge of Netrakona detective branch (DB), said, a team led by Sub-inspector Anwar Hossain made the arrests during a raid at the house.

The DB is also looking for the local associates of the arrestees, he added.

Both Moniruzzaman, who is Hizb-ut's ameer in Netrakona, and his wife, Sumaiya, are accused in two cases filed under the Anti-terrorism Act. Another case was filed against Moniruzzaman for possession of drugs, Akanda also said.

SI Anwar said during initial investigation the arrestees admitted to be members of Hizb-ut Tawhid and they confessed to have been staying in Netrakona for the last six months to gear up activities of the organization.

Police would investigate whether they had been involved in any terrorist activities, Anwar also said.

A Netrakona court sent all four to jail after police produced them before it, showing arrested under Section 54.