Habiganj, Jan. 4 – On Saturday night, officers from the Habiganj Detective Branch (DB) arrested Mahdi Hasan, the member secretary of the Habiganj district chapter of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD).
As per officials and advocates of SAD, Mahdi was detained at a house located in the Shayestanagar district of the city and transported to Habiganj Sadar Police Station via a mini bus.
Acknowledging the arrest, Habiganj Police Superintendent Yasmin Akter stated that Mahdi Hasan was taken into custody, mentioning that information about the reasons for his detention will be provided at a later time.
After being arrested, leaders and activists from SAD assembled outside the police station, calling for his prompt release and shouting protest chants.
In the morning, the Central Committee of SAD sent a warning letter to Mahdi Hasan, instructing him not to engage in organizational work related to what they described as "unjustified remarks."
A notification, authored by Office Secretary Shahadat Hossain, stated that Mahdi’s comments made during a conversation with the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Shayestaganj Police Station conflicted with the organization's principles and damaged its reputation. He was instructed to provide a detailed clarification within 24 hours.
The action came after police detained Enamul Hasan Nayan, vice president of the Shayestaganj Sadar Union Chhatra League, late Thursday night, accusing him of being associated with the outlawed Chhatra League.
Following the arrest, leaders and members of SAD surrounded Shayestaganj Police Station on Friday, calling for Nayan's freedom. A team headed by Mahdi allegedly went into the officer-in-charge's office and had a discussion with law enforcement officers.
An online clip from the event eventually spread across Facebook, capturing Mahdi expressing contentious statements directed at the OC, which led to significant backlash.
In that widely shared video, Mahdi is heard speaking to the OC, stating: "We destroyed the Baniachong police station and lit SI Santosh on fire. From such a stance, how can you claim, 'What difference does it make if he is an SAD supporter?' Were so many of our comrades here for no reason? During the July agitation, we established the government. In this regard, you are part of our administration. However, you have detained our individuals."
With the intervention of Additional Superintendent of Police (Habiganj Sadar Circle), Shahidul Islam, Nayan was set free at approximately 3:30 pm on Friday.
Mahdi Hasan eventually admitted to getting the show-cause letter, stating that his comments were a "momentary lapse."
Former OC Abul Kalam stated that Nayan was held under suspicion in a case connected to an anti-discrimination protest and faced allegations of ties with the Chhatra League, yet he was later freed once investigations confirmed no criminal activity.
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