Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun on Saturday said police followed the law of the land in arresting leaders and activists of opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
The IGP said this while replying to a question on whether the recent arrest of BNP leaders and activists under the Anti-Terrorism Act without any warrant has been lawful.
He was talking to journalists after attending a function organized at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital.
Police are doing everything according to the law of Bangladesh, he added.
When asked what type of terrorist work the BNP activists had done in Banani, the IGP said, “You will understand it if you see the FIR (First Information Report) of the case. However, the matter will be investigated. After investigation we will take steps.”
BNP has claimed that the arrest was made in order to harass and obstruct the opposition party.
When asked about this, the police chief said that it is not like that, everything will be clear after seeing the copy of the case.
Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested 53 BNP leaders and activists while holding a meeting at Banani Club in the capital on the night of March 19.
Read more: BNP urges DMP not to arrest its leaders, activists without any warrant
Police said the arrested BNP members were planning anti-state activities while sitting in Banani Club. The police arrested them after receiving the news. Later, the police filed a case against the 53 people at Banani police station under the Anti-Terrorism Act and sent them to court.
When his attention was drawn to Rabiul Islam alias Aram Khan, the fugitive accused in the murder of police inspector Mamun Imran Khan, the IGP said that a red notice has been issued against him by Interpol. Liaison with Interpol and Dubai Police continues. Based on the information provided by the Bangladesh Police, Interpol has issued a red notice against Rabiul, he said.
Asked if there is any obstacle to bring Aarav Khan back to Bangladesh as he went to Dubai using an Indian passport, the IGP said we are working on it.
He said he has no information about Arab’s arrest or detention in Dubai.