3-day blockade: 10 people held from hotel in Dhaka’s Gulshan

A team of RAB conducted a drive at a Gulshan hotel and arrested them, ASP Imran Khan of RAB Headquarters (Media Wing) said Thursday.

Ten people were arrested by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) from a hotel in Dhaka's Gulshan area in connection with a clash in Araihazar upazila of Narayanganj district on Tuesday that left three cops injured.

The arrestees were identified as Jewel Ahmed, 52; Yusuf Ali, 69; Masum Shikari, 45; Habibur Rahman Selim, 48; Shafiuddin Bhuiya, 51; Shafiuddin, 48; Mashuqul Islam, 53; Shakil Mia, 40; Arman Molla, 46; and Habibur Rahman, 54, of Araihazar upazila.

Based on a tip-off, a team of RAB conducted a drive at a Gulshan hotel and arrested them, ASP Imran Khan of RAB Headquarters (Media Wing) said Thursday.

The elite force identified them after going over CCTV footage and media footage of the incident.

After primary interrogation, RAB came to know that the men were staying in the Gulshan hotel to evade arrest, he said.

“Legal process is underway against the arrestees,” he added.

At least 20 people, including three policemen, were injured in a clash involving BNP, Awami League activists, and police in Araihazar upazila of Narayanganj on Tuesday, on the first day of the nationwide three-day blockade.

Witnesses said BNP leaders and activists brought out a procession in support of the blockade in the area. Later, they blocked the road after felling logs and burning tyres. They also vandalised two vehicles, including a BRTC bus, passing through the area, they said.

At the same time, a group of Awami League activists brought out a procession against the blockade, triggering chase and counter-chase among the two groups.

The area turned into a battlefield when police arrived and fired rubber bullets and tear gas shells to disperse them. Twenty people were injured during the clash.

Ahsan Ullah, officer-in-charge of Araihazar Police Station, said three policemen were injured as attackers stabbed them.