Tarique Rahman's video conference in Cumilla: Over 100 BNP men sued, 22 arrested

Twenty-two Jubo Dal men were arrested yesterday after an iftar mehfil in Cumilla's town hall, which was addressed virtually by BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman.

They were arrested in a case filed over obstructing government work, in which more than a 100 men of Jubo Dal -- the BNP's youth wing -- were accused.

Cumilla Kotwali Model Police Station Sub-Inspector Al Mamun filed the case, Sub-Inspector Tapan Kumar Bagchi told our local correspondent today.

"Of the 29 people named in the case, 22 have been shown arrested," the SI added.

Cumilla Divisional Jubo Dal organised the event at the town hall auditorium yesterday. The iftar mehfil was foiled after BNP men started clashing with police. Later, additional police arrived and brought the situation under control.

Former MP and BNP's central Vice-Chairman Barkat Ullah Bulu was the chief guest at the event. Central Jubo Dal President Sultan Salahuddin Tuku was the keynote speaker.

According to eyewitnesses, during the event, BNP acting chairperson Tarique Rahman was connected to the event via video link from London and was listening to the speeches of the leaders.

Around 5:30pm, it was announced that Tarique would deliver a speech. Soon after the announcement was made, Tapan Bagchi, in-charge of Kandirpar Police Outpost, went to the venue and asked the video link to be disconnected.

The leaders and activists started shouting in protest, and there was a scuffle with police members. Tarique started his speech after the police members left the spot around five minutes later. according to witnesses.

But after some time, the law enforcers returned with Cumilla's Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) Kamran Hossain.

The scuffle with police began again. After a while, Tarique ended his speech and disconnected.

Following this, the police raided the town hall ground and arrested the activists.

Tarique, who was declared a fugitive by Bangladesh courts, has been sentenced up to life in jail in several cases, on charges of money laundering, corruption and the August 21 grenade attack on an Awami League rally. On September 11, 2008,

Tarique went to London for treatment, and has been living with his family there since then.

He was arrested on March 7, 2007 during the army-backed caretaker government, and later released on parole on September 3, 2008.