Nine ‘Allahr Dal members’ held in Sylhet
Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) of Police claimed to have arrested nine leaders of the banned militant outfit “Allahr Dal” from Arambagh area of Sylhet Sadar upazila on Wednesday night.
The unit in association with Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) conducted a drive at 10:25pm and arrested the nine while planning anti-state activities, Paritosh Ghosh, additional commissioner of SMP, told a press conference in Sylhet yesterday.
The arrestees are: Manik Akand alias Mehedy Hasan (32) of Bogura; Jahir Uddin Babar (20) of Noakhali; Rasel Ahmed (24) and Kamal Ahmed (25) of Zakiganj; Abul Kalam Azad (20) of Cumilla; Tomi Uddin Sumon (30) of Sunamganj; Ashraful Islam (29) of Rajshahi; Jewel Ahmed (24) of Sylhet Sadar and Swapan Ahmed (21) of Golapganj.
ATU officials in Dhaka said Manik has been working as the head of Sylhet division since 2018. Earlier, he used to be the regional chief of Naogaon, Chattogram and Cumilla from 2013 to 2018. He is one of the key members of the group. He joined the group in 2005, said law enforcers.
Babar is working as Sylhet divisional head of the outfit’s “Dawah” wing since 2018 while Rasel is the Sylhet district chief since 2018. Among other arrestees, Ashraful is Sunamganj district chief; Kamal city chief; Abul Kalam Shahparan thana chief; and Jewel and Swapan are ward unit chiefs of Sylhet city.
MM Hasanul Zahid, superintendent of police (intelligence) of ATU, said in primary interrogation, the arrestees admitted that they were holding a clandestine meeting to take preparations for carrying out subversive activities.
“All the arrestees are followers of Matin Mehedy of Kurigram who founded the outfit,” said Md Mahiduzzaman, ATU superintendent of police (legal and media).
The Public Security Division, under the home ministry, banned the militant group on November 5, through issuing a gazette notification. The notification mentioned that the government thinks activities of the militant outfit named “Allahr Dal” are against peace and a threat to public security.
The SP said they are investigating to find out details of their planning and capacity.
ATU also seized Tk 16,000, some mobile phones, a registry book, some documents and books. A case was filed.
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