Bagerhat DC, SP receive threats over Saddam incident

District Commissioner (DC) and Superintendent of Police (SP) of Bagerhat have reportedly received threats over the incident involving Jewel Hasan Saddam, president of banned student organisation Chhatra League’s Bagerhat Sadar upazila unit, which has drawn nationwide attention.

According to official sources, DC and SP were threatened on Sunday through phone calls made to their official whatsapp numbers from several foreign phone numbers. Callers allegedly used abusive language and issued threats.

A video circulating on social media platforms shows a caller making obscene and threatening remarks during a whatsapp call to the SP’s number. Law enforcement sources have confirmed authenticity of the audio contained in the video. Footage and audio clips are reportedly being shared from multiple facebook accounts and pages.

In the recorded audio, the caller can be heard verbally abusing police superintendent from the moment call was answered, leaving him no opportunity to respond. The caller allegedly issued threats targeting officials and his family in connection with legal action taken against Saddam.

Bagerhat Superintendent of Police (SP) Mohammad Hasan Chowdhury confirmed receiving several threatening calls from foreign numbers. District Commissioner (DC) Golam Md Baten also acknowledged that he had received similar threats from multiple numbers.

Md Baten said he was not intimidated by the threats and stressed that the administration had acted lawfully and provided necessary support in this matter. He added that the calls might have originated from bots or unidentified foreign numbers and that further steps would be taken after consulting senior officials.

Mohammad Hasan Chowdhury said that the matter is being investigated to identify those responsible for the threats and that legal action will be taken accordingly.

Meanwhile, a statement by fugitive former Bagerhat-2 lawmaker Sheikh Tanmoy has been circulating on facebook, in which he described the situation as inhumane.

Law enforcement agencies are continuing to monitor the situation amid heightened concern over the security of senior government officials.

AM