A leader of a faction of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) was held Tuesday as police raided a residence in Feni’s Sonagazi and picked up nine women leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islam Bangladesh.

BFUJ central committee president M Abdullah was visiting his sister’s house in Ward-3 of Sonagazi, at the same time as a clandestine meeting of Jamaat, the party without a registration, was being held on the property,  according to police. 

Abdullah’s sister is married to ex-Jamaat Ameer of the upazila, Kalimullah, who wasn’t home during the raid. 

At around 8pm, police raided the house and broke up the allaged meeting, making 10 arrests. The arrestees included the nine leaders and activists of Jamaat, all women, and journalist leader Abdullah- although police say they are merely interrogating him.

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The Jamaat leaders are Mahila Jamaat secretary Shaheda Akter, Jahanara Begum, Lutfun Nahar, Amina Begum, Shahida Akhter, Shahnaz Akhter, Zakia Akhter, Rabia Akhter and Kusum Akhter.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Masukur Rahman of Sonagazi Circle confirmed the arrests, adding that jihadi literature and anti-government propaganda, a membership list and written action plans were also recovered during the raid.  

A case was being prepared against them, the ASP said.

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M Abdullah, who already gave his identity as a journalist, is being interrogated. He would be shown arrested with the others if he fails to explain his presence at the house at that time satisfactorily.

M Abdullah said, “Police arrested me while I was visiting my sister's house. I have no idea who was  in that house.”