ছবি: Chinmoy Krishna Das
A Chattogram court has granted a six-day remand for 12 followers of Chinmoy Krishna Das, spokesperson for the Bangladesh Combined Sanatan Jagaran Jot, who were arrested in connection with an attack on police officers and obstructing their duties. The ruling was made by Chattogram Metropolitan Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, December 4.
The 12 accused who were granted remand are Aman Das, Rummit Das, Nayan Das, Gogon Das, Sumit Das, Bishal Das, Sonu Das Methor, Suman Das, Rajesh Das, Durlav Das, Joy Nath, and Ajay Sutradhar Chowdhury. This information was confirmed to Desh Rupantor by Mofizur Rahman, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Prosecution) of Chattogram Metropolitan Police.
Background of the Incident
The arrests are linked to a violent incident that occurred in the wake of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari’s arrest and subsequent denial of bail on charges related to a treason case involving the desecration of the national flag in Chattogram's New Market area. On November 26, the court had rejected the bail plea of Chinmoy Krishna Das, ordering him to be sent to jail. In response, his followers attempted to block the prison van carrying him, causing a stand-off that lasted for hours.
The followers held the prison van from 12 PM to 2:50 PM, leading to escalating tensions with the police. As a result, the police used force, including batons, sound grenades, and tear gas, to disperse the crowd. Despite these efforts, the situation became increasingly violent as Chinmoy’s followers clashed with law enforcement. The protestors vandalized over 20 vehicles belonging to the police, military, and media.
Fatalities and Additional Violence
During the confrontation, the followers of Chinmoy Krishna Das attacked lawyer Saiful Islam Alif, who was reportedly beaten and killed. This incident added further gravity to the violence, prompting the filing of several cases. In total, five cases were lodged, including one for the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam and three for police obstruction.
The cases filed include one by Saiful’s father, Jamal Uddin, who named 31 individuals, and another by Saiful’s brother, which listed 116 suspects. The police have arrested 39 people in connection with the violence, including individuals who were present at the scene of the clashes.
Legal and Political Fallout
The police confrontations and the murder of the lawyer have sparked outrage, with authorities facing scrutiny over their handling of the situation. Police forces continue to investigate the events surrounding the attacks on law enforcement and the tragic killing of Saiful Islam. The court’s decision to remand 12 of Chinmoy Krishna Das’s followers underscores the gravity of the situation, as the violence escalated to deadly levels.
As the investigation unfolds, the community in Chattogram remains on edge, and further arrests are anticipated as police continue to piece together the full extent of the violence and its political implications.
repoter