SAD activist detained in Habiganj

Police detained three people, including Mahdi Hasan, a leader of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD),  in Habiganj town on Monday.

Habiganj Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Zahidul Haque said the three were detained to prevent any untoward incident and ensure security surrounding a planned street demonstration.

The three were detained around 5pm from the Court Mosque premises, where students and members of the public had gathered under the banner of “Students and People from All Walks of Life”.

This would be the second time Mahdi, member secretary of the Habiganj district unit, has been detained this year. In January, officers at the Shaistaganj Police Station arrested him in a case over intimidating the police and obstructing their duties.

Local sources said people had been gathering near the Court Mosque since Monday afternoon to prepare for a procession against frequent load shedding, rising electricity prices, the gas crisis and soaring commodity prices.

As the protesters were preparing to bring out the procession after Asr prayers, police arrived and detained Mahdi Hasan and two others. They were later taken to Habiganj Sadar Police Station.

Police did not immediately provide information about filing any case against the detainees.

It is worth noting that Mahdi was arrested in early January after he threatened to inflict violence on policemen.

Police had detained a local Chhatra League activist, Enamul Hasan Nayan, who had reportedly left the student organisation and joined the uprising against parent group – Awami League – in July-August 2024, on suspicions he was re-establishing ties with his former colleagues, potentially to carry out sabotage.

Upon hearing his detention, a group of SAD activists, led by Mahdi Hasan, went to the Shaistaganj Police Station demanding his unconditional release, and warning of violence if the demand was snubbed. 

Eventually, police released Nayan under mob pressure, but later arrested Mahdi for threatening violence against officers. Mahdi later secured release on bail.