Anti-discrimination Movement blocks expressway for an hour to protest snatching of Jubo Dal suspect

They demand the suspects’ arrests within three hours

The Anti-discrimination Student Movement has blocked the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway for an hour to protest the snatching of a detained Jubo Dal leader from a police station.

The blockade, which occurred from noon to 1pm on Saturday, led to long tailbacks on the expressway.

Jubo Dal leader Tariqul Islam was arrested and taken to Sreenagar Police Station in a case over violence. A group of “hundreds” of activists then snatched him from the police station around 10pm on Friday.

The Anti-discrimination Student Movement held a “blockade” at the Dhaleshwari Toll Plaza to protest the incident.

Army, police and other law enforcement personnel arrived at the scene when the incident was reported.

The Anti-discrimination Student Movement’s activists then set a three-hour deadline for the arrest of the Jubo Dal leader and those who took him away before clearing the road.

Imran Hossain, senior assistant superintendent of police in Munshiganj, confirmed that the incident had occurred and said efforts were underway to arrest the suspects.

Police arrested Tariqul at 8pm on Friday.

Witnesses say that 200-300 people chanting slogans calling themselves “Zia’s Warriors” snatched Tariqul from the jail around 10pm.

“Discussions are ongoing,” said Anisur Rahman, additional superintendent of police for the Sreenagar Circle. “The Upazila’s Jubo Dal president has made assurances that the suspect will be returned.”