34 held for suspected link with militancy in Sylhet, Comilla

Law enforcers in a joint drive arrested 34 people including three female students of Comilla Victoria Government College from Sylhet and Comilla districts for their suspected link to militancy early today.

In Comilla, police claimed to have arrested three female students of Comilla Victoria Government College for their suspected link to militancy from a college dormitory at Dharmapur area.

One of the arrestees was identified as Kaniz Fatema, a final year master’s student of the Accounting department, while the names of the other two could not be known immediately.

Abdullah Al Mamun, additional superintendent of police, Comilla, said police conducted a raid around 12:30am on Nawab Foyzunnesa Dormitory of the college following information from the college authorities on suspicious movement and behaviour of the students.

All the three were members of Islami Chhatri Sangstha, female student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami.

Some books related to Islam were recovered from their possession.

In Sylhet, law enforcers detained 31 people including 22 activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student front Islami Chhatra Shibir, for their suspected involvement with militant activities in Jakiganj upazila.

Additional Superintendent of Police Suggan Chakma said a joint team comprising of members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), Armed Police Battalion and Detective Branch of police, conducted the drive in different areas of the upazila and made the arrest.

They also seized sharp weapons and books from their possession. The law enforcers arrested them for their suspected involvement with militancy as part of the government’s anti-terrorism campaign, the SP added.

Most of the arrestees were wanted in several cases, including for subversive activities, filed with separate police stations, SP Suggan Chakma said.