Eight held after AL flash march, cocktail blast in Savar

Eight people have been detained after activists of the banned Awami League allegedly brought out a flash procession and exploded a cocktail on the Dhaka-Aricha highway in Savar on Sunday.

The incident took place in front of the Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre (BPATC) at around 1pm, according to Dhaka District North Detective Branch (DB) police.

The detained persons are Md Firoz Mia, 24, joint general secretary of Kurigram district unit of the Sheikh Russell National Children and Youth Council; Md Riyad, 18; Md Soad, 18; Md Masum, 18; Savar College student Md Jinnat, 19; garment worker Ismail Hossain, 20; slipper factory worker Md Tamim Sikder, 18; and shoe shop sales assistant Md Sakin Islam, 18.

Police said the detainees lived as tenants at different residences in Savar and Ashulia.

According to police, a group of around 50 people brought out a flash procession carrying a banner on the highway in front of BPATC. During the procession, they allegedly detonated a cocktail beside the highway, creating panic in the area.

On receiving the information, DB police chased the group and detained three people from the spot. Later, based on information obtained from them, police conducted raids at different locations in Savar and Ashulia and detained five more.

Dhaka District North DB Officer-in-Charge Saidur Islam said the activists of the banned organisation brought out the procession with the intention of creating disorder on the highway and spreading panic among people.

He said the detainees were being processed for legal action.

sks