'Was taken to Rab office blindfolded, handcuffed'

Gonojagoron Mancha spokesperson Imran H Sarker yesterday said he was “taken to Rab office blindfolded and handcuffed” after being picked up by Rab members on Wednesday afternoon.

He made the claim while briefing journalists at a press conference organised by the Mancha at the Sagar-Runi Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).

Imran added that at Rab office, the blindfold and handcuff were taken off in presence of high-ups of the elite force.

The Rab officials wanted to know the reason behind the protest, he said.

“At one stage, the Rab officials started explaining the legitimacy of the anti-narcotics drive. They also briefed me about the bad effects of drugs,” he added.

The Mancha spokesperson said he wanted to convince the Rab officials that they are vocal against the “extrajudicial killings” just as they are against drugs.

Imran alleged that the way Rab picked him up is not acceptable.

“Detaining anyone without any warrant in a 'cinematic' style for just taking part in a protest is not expected,” said Imran.

He claimed that Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and Shahbagh Police Station had been notified in writing before holding the rally.

“Thus, what Rab claimed – that the Mancha did not take permission for the rally--is untrue,” he added.

Besides, it is not Rab's, rather police's duty, to check whether they had taken permission or not. He also presented a copy of the application which was sent to DMP seeking security.

Speaking at the programme, human rights activist KhushiKabir said it is every citizen's moral duty to protest the killings which are being done bypassing the judicial system.

Asked when he was released, Imran said, Rab took phone numbers of his brother and sister, called them, and released him after that.

Udichi general secretary JamshedAnowarTopon conducted the press conference where Chhatra Union president GM ZilaniShuvo read out a written statement.

Rab released Imran H Sarker on Wednesday night around seven hours after picking him up from a rally called in protest against extrajudicial killing in the ongoing anti-narcotics drive.After being interrogated, Imran was released at 11:00pm, Lt Col EmranulHasan, commanding officer-of Rab-3, told The Daily Star.

Meanwhile, different socio-political parties and rights groups continued protests against killings in the name of “gunfights”during anti-narcotics drive.

Under the banner “Protesting student-people”, a rally was held yesterday in front of National Museum, Dhaka protesting extra-judicial killings and picking up of Imran H Sarkar.

Condemning Rab's action, protesters alleged that the government has turned autocratic and it can no more accept protests.  They also alleged that the government had not touched “drug lords” inside the ruling party but carried out anti-narcotics drive which was nothing but a “farce”.