Police say nearly 300 detained after JaSaD office raid in Gulistan

Police have said nearly 300 people were taken into custody after a raid on the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JaSaD) headquarters in Dhaka’s Gulistan.

After the operation on Saturday, Motijheel Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid said the number was around 280-300.

The raid began at 3pm, with people taken to Paltan Police Station in handcuffs in successive prison vans.

Police said they acted on information that activists of the Awami League, which is banned from political activities, had gathered at the office to carry out sabotage or other unlawful activities. Local students and the public assisted police.

Harun said authorities were verifying why they had gathered, what information they possessed and what activities they had undertaken.

Police had also received information that “Joy Bangla” slogans were sounded there.

Those detained were initially taken to Paltan Police Station for security and to verify the incident. They may be moved to nearby stations if necessary.

Harun said those found involved would face cases or legal action, while others would be released through the appropriate process.

He said authorities were also checking whether journalists or people from other professions were among them.

Former Dhaka Union of Journalists President Abu Jafar Surya was among those detained.

In a Facebook post showing himself handcuffed, he said police had taken him and others away while he was performing professional duties at JaSaD’s representatives’ meeting.

Earlier, Sub-Inspector Nazmul Hossain said at least 400 people were inside.

JaSaD Office Secretary Sazzad Hossain said BNP and Jatiotabadi Jubo Dal activists had “attacked” their meeting and claimed police later removed them before detaining JaSaD members.

He rejected allegations of a secret Awami League meeting as “false”.