14, including Anti-discrimination movement leader, arrested on vandalism allegations

The army handed them over to police around 8pm on Friday, says the Kalabagan Police Station chief

As many as 14 people have been arrested in Dhaka’s Lake Circus area for allegedly vandalising the office of a private company.

Among those arrested is Salahuddin Salman, convenor of the Kalabagan unit of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, according to police.

Kalabagan Police Station chief Moktaruzzaman said, "The army handed over these 14 individuals to police around 8pm on Friday."

While he did not disclose details of the remaining 13 detainees, he added that they were accused of vandalising the office of Kabiko Construction in the Lake Circus area.

"Upon reaching the scene, police found the office's CCTV cameras destroyed. The detainees were also found with Tk 31,000 in cash."

The OC confirmed that a case has been filed under the Speedy Trial Act, naming 14 individuals, with an additional five to seven people listed as suspects.

The case accuses them of vandalising the office and breaking into drawers to loot Tk 300,000.

According to OC Moktaruzzaman, the attackers believed the building housed an Awami League office.

"That’s why they attempted to seize control of the third-floor office in Panthapath’s Lake Circus building."

He added that the company's managing director is Sheikh Kabir Hossain, the uncle of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.