Ten held over Jessore Shaheed Minar explosions

Ten people have been detained over the explosions at Jessore Shaheed Minar early dawn on Sunday during the Language Martyrs Day.

Jessore Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 21 Feb 2016, 09:45 AM
Updated : 21 Feb 2016, 10:50 AM

Police said they raided Asad Hall of Government MM College, where the memorial is located, just after the incident.

Ten crude bombs, raw ingredients for explosives and yaba pills were found in the hostel from where the suspects were held, District Superintendent of Police Anisur Rahman told bdnews24.com on Sunday noon.

So far four of the detainees have been identified.

Locals said Akash, Bijoy, Mohidul and Shumon were involved with the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the ruling Awami League’s student wing. They are also supporters of Anwar Hossain Bipul, general secretary of the BCL district unit.

But District SP Anisur Rahman did not confirm the political involvement of those involved in the incident.

Kotwali Police filed a case accusing unidentified assailants of causing the explosions after five to six bombs were exploded at the Jessore Shaheed Minar at midnight, causing panic among people who were paying tributes to the language martyrs.

Police then said a BCL faction opposed to Jessore MP Kazi Nabil Ahmed was behind the explosions.

The MP was the first to lay a wreath at the Shaheed Minar at Government MM College, witnesses said. The BCL general secretary was in the queue after the deputy commissioner and the police superintendent.

When it was their turn to place a wreath, the BCL leaders started a scuffle, causing the police to move in. The bombs soon went off at the north end of the memorial.

Police began firing in the air after a bomb was hurled in front of the memorial, causing people to flee.

A BCL group opposed to Jessore MP Kazi Nabil Ahmed was held responsible immediately for the incident, but BCL leader Bipul denied such involvement and blamed the MP’s men instead for the trouble.

“The men were fighting pitched battles at the memorial when the bombs went off. Police fired blank shots and tear gas to disperse the mob,” Jessore Additional Superintendent of Police KM Ariful told reporters at night.

No one was injured but the incident ruined the sombre mood at the memorial, said Kotwali Police OC Iliachh Hossain.