A group of BNP leaders and activists detained professor PM Shafiqul Islam, vice-president of the central committee of Bangladesh Awami Swechchhasebak League, and handed him over to police on Saturday in Rajshahi.
Witnesses reported that BNP supporters intercepted Shafiqul, a retired professor of Rajshahi University鈥檚 Bangla department, and his companion Md Soad at Sadhur Mor while he was traveling to Chandrima area on a battery-powered rickshaw at noon. Shafiqul, a former treasurer of Sheikh Hasina University in Netrakona, had sought an Awami League nomination for the 12th national election from Rajshahi-4 constituency.
The BNP supporters allegedly detained Shafiqul and Soad for hours in an open area, questioning him. He was later handed over to police at 4:30pm.
Speaking to journalists, Shafiqul claimed a local BNP leader and his followers had confined him and demanded a ransom of Tk 7 lakh. Witnesses stated that BNP activists physically assaulted the duo during the handover, even as police attempted to intervene.
However, Md Saykat, office secretary of Jatiotabadi Swechchhasebak Dal鈥檚 Rajshahi metropolitan unit, denied the ransom allegations. He said Shafiqul was handed over to police due to alleged harassment of BNP supporters over the past 16 years.
Rajshahi Metropolitan Police鈥檚 additional deputy commissioner (media), Sabina Yeasmin, confirmed that Shafiqul and Soad were taken to Boalia Model police station.
鈥榃e are investigating if any cases are filed against him in his native Bagmara police station,鈥� she added.
In a separate incident, former joint secretary of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League鈥檚 RU Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall unit, Firoz Mahmud, was beaten and handed over to police early Saturday. Firoz was reportedly on campus to collect his honours certificate.
