Youth ‘behind vandalism of Bangabandhu mural’ arrested

Rapid Action Battalion (Rab-14) yesterday claimed to have arrested a youth, who was involved in vandalising the mural of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Brahmanbaria, on the day of the strike enforced by Hefajat-e-Islam on March 28.

The arrestee was identified as Md Arman Alif Malik (22), of Nasirnagar.

Identifying him from video footage, a team of Rab-14 arrested Malik from the district highway area around 9pm on Sunday, Lt Col Abu Nayeem Mohammad Talat, commander of Rab-14, said while addressing reporters at Brahmanbaria press club auditorium yesterday.

Later, the Rab-14 team conducted drive at the district's Kazipara Mahalla, where Malik used to live in a rented house, and recovered a weapon, two magazines of ammunition, four rounds of bullets and a shovel from there, he said.

The Rab official said during preliminary interrogation, Arman admitted to breaking the mural .

Arman went into hiding and got a haircut and shaved his beard to avoid arrest, he said.

Preparations were underway to file a case in this regard.

Asked about any identity or link with Hefajat, Lt Col Talat refused to disclose it. 

Rab-14 Bhairab Camp Assistant Director Rafiuddin Mohammad Jobair and other officials were present during the press brief.