The Counter Terrorism Unit said that the teenager arrested from Ekushey Book Fair in Chittagong were members of the banned extremist organization Ansar Al Islam. Officials at the city police said the young man had gone there to attack the Ekushey Book Fair organized by ‘Taghut’.
Two days ago, on Monday (February 21) at noon, the Counter Terrorism Unit arrested him from book fair organized by the City Corporation at the gymnasium premises adjacent to MA Aziz Stadium in the city. On Tuesday night (February 22), sub-inspector (SI) of the agency filed a case against him with the city’s Kotwali police station under the anti-terrorism law.
The arrested is Mohammad Rumel, 20, son of Quddus Miah of Ibrahimpur village in Belabo upazila of Narsingdi district. At present Rumel lived in Barbari area of Chandgaon police station in Chittagong city.
Ahmed Peer, additional deputy commissioner of the city police’s counter-terrorism unit, told media, “We have confirmed the identity of the young Rummel after his arrest. He is an active member of the banned militant group Ansar al-Islam. A case has been filed against him under anti-terrorism law at Kotwali police station.”
According to the concerned, the members of the Counter Terrorism Unit carried out the operation after receiving the news that some militants were waiting for the subversive activities in front of the mosque of Chittagong District Sports Organization near the book fair premises. When Rumel tried to escape, he was chased and arrested. Rummel was slightly injured when he fell while running. Naik Michael Barua, a member of the Counter Terrorism Unit, was also injured in the scuffle. Several leaflets and banners with extremist and jihadi statements were seized from Rummel.
According to the statement of case, Rummel said in the preliminary interrogation after the arrest that observing Ekushey February is equivalent to worshiping dummy and pillars. Those who have organized the book fair on the occasion of 21st February are ‘taghut’ meaning transgressors. He came to attack the book fair organized by the Taghuts. He was accompanied by several other associates in the attack.
During the preliminary interrogation, Rummel said that their further goal was to overthrow the democratic government established by Ansar al-Islam and establish a system of governance based on shahiah and caliphate. Using an unconventional mobile app, they exchange all the information of the organization among themselves.
The case has been filed against Rumel under sections 8, 9 (3), 11 and 13 of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Meanwhile, Kotwali police arrested another madrasa student from the book fair on the same day. He was later handed over to the city detective police. However, Kotwali Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Nezam Uddin said that he was released as he did not get any evidence of extremist activities from him during interrogation.