AK Azad’s arrest demanded again

Bangla Press Desk:  Students and youths in Faridpur have once again demanded the immediate arrest of AK Azad, a member of the advisory council of the district Awami League and a former MP, who won the 2024 sham election under Sheikh Hasina’s government.

The protesters accused him of attempting to rehabilitate leaders and activists of the Awami League and defaming the Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal by bringing false allegations against it.

Leaders of the Faridpur district and town units of Jubo Dal, along with student activists who participated in the July uprising, made the demand at separate press conferences on Wednesday at the Faridpur Press Club.

A protest rally by Jubo Dal paraded the streets and ended at the junction of Janata Bank later.

Jubo Dal leaders vehemently condemned AK Azad’s allegation of an attack on his election campaign, blaming them. They said no member of Jubo Dal was involved in the so-called attack on the convoy of ex-MP AK Azad at Parmanandpur Bazar in Krishnanagar union.

However, Azad deliberately linked Jubo Dal to the incident and made baseless statements to various media outlets. This has since caused confusion. This is part of a broader attempt to tarnish Jubo Dal’s image nationwide, they said.

Ahead of the upcoming election, they are conducting a planned campaign of misinformation against Jubo Dal, they claimed.

In a written statement, district Jubo Dal General Secretary Jahangir Hossain said on 19 October, exaggerated and deliberately misleading reports about the attack on AK Azad’s convoy were published in his own and several other media outlets.

He clarified that no Jubo Dal leader, activist, or unit leader from Faridpur district was involved in the incident or even present at the scene. Video footage from the day clearly shows this. Instead, AK Azad, in response to journalists’ questions, deliberately implicated Jubo Dal, though there is no organisational committee of Jubo Dal in Krishnanagar union.

He explained that AK Azad, in the face of public anger, was forced to leave the area with his entourage after local people became enraged upon seeing convicts from the ruling Awami League’s affiliated organisations, Jubo League and Chhatra League, near his convoy.

The situation escalated as anti-fascist slogans were raised, creating tension. On that day, BNP leaders and activists were distributing leaflets of the 31-point programme announced by BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman in support of Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal Joint Secretary Chowdhury Nayab Yusuf.

District Jubo Dal President Rajib Hasan, acting President of town Jubo Dal MM Yusuf, General Secretary of town Jubo Dal Ali Rezaowan Bishwas Torun, district Jubo Dal Vice President Zahidur Rahman, Joint General Secretary Md Nasir Khan, Treasurer Ilyas Molla, Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Galib Ibne Hannan, among others, were present at the event.

Students’ press conference

Another press conference was held by students of Faridpur protesting AK Azad’s attempts to patronise Awami League leaders and activists.

In a written statement, Md Sohel Rana, former general secretary of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said AK Azad is conducting activities involving Awami League leaders and activists in a manner contrary to the July movement.

During the July uprising, on AK Azad’s instructions, the activists were attacked and shot.

According to him, Azad has mocked the martyrs and the injured of the July movement and is now trying to rehabilitate the killers.

Rana warned that if AK Azad does not stop such activities, no matter how powerful he is or whoever blesses him, the people of Faridpur will prevent him.

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement leader issued a stern warning that if the leaders and activists of the banned organisation are not immediately arrested, a stronger movement will be launched.

Sohel Rana further stated that the Faridpur Kotwali Police Station has now turned into a fish market. Instead of arresting leaders and activists of the banned organisation, police organise evening gatherings there.

The programme was conducted by Murad Sheikh, Vice President of Faridpur Press Club. Mehedi Hasan, Saif Khan, Farhan Naib, and Tamjid Sion, among other leaders and activists of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, were present.

BP/SP