Akhteruzzaman on one-day remand, Jamaat protests

A Dhaka court on Saturday granted police one-day remand to question Major (retd) Akhteruzzaman, a leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, in a case filed over alleged disorder and obstruction of government officials at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Dhaka Airport Police Sub-Inspector Majedul Islam produced Akhteruzzaman before the court and sought a five-day remand. After hearing the prosecution, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Albiruni Mir granted a one-day remand.

According to the remand petition, police need to question Akhteruzzaman about the incident at the airport, including allegations that he obstructed government employees in the discharge of their duties, threatened and intimidated officials and assaulted a security personnel.

Police also said they wanted to determine whether any group had instigated the alleged incident with an intention to disrupt security and order at the airport and tarnish Bangladesh's image.

Akhteruzzaman was arrested on October 2 from his residence on Road 10 in Dhamalkot, near the Dhaka Cantonment.

In this connection, a case was filed with Airport Police Station by Md Shahriar Alam Sajib, an airport security official.

Police have described the alleged actions as obstruction of officials and security personnel in the discharge of their duties, intimidation and threats, abusive conduct and physical assault at a sensitive KPI-designated area of the airport. The allegations have yet to be established in court. 

On the other hand, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami held a protest rally and procession in the capital on Saturday protesting the arrest of former lawmaker Major (retd.) Akhtaruzzaman.

The rally, organised by the Dhaka city unit of Jamaat, began at around 1:30pm at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.

Mohammad Selim Uddin, a member of Jamaat's Central Executive Council and Ameer of its Dhaka North city unit, presided over the programme.

Dr Muhammad Rezaul Karim, also a member of the Central Executive Council and Secretary of the Dhaka North city unit, moderated the event.

Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar attended the rally as the chief guest, while Dr Shafiqul Islam Masud, a member of the Central Executive Council and Secretary of the party's Dhaka South city unit, was present as a special guest.