Two leaders of the Awami League have been arrested in connection with the murder of Mahadi Hasan Pantha during the last anti-discrimination student movement.
Ahad Ali, 55, Joint General Secretary of the Freedom Fighters’ League, Dhaka Metropolitan South, and Md. Iqbal Hossain, 57, a local leader of the Kadamtali Thana Awami League, were picked up by police early Saturday.
Muhammad Talebur Rahman, PPM, Deputy Police Commissioner confirmed it at a press briefing.
The arrests were made around 3am on Saturday, during an operation by Kadamtali Thana Police in the Kadamtali area of Dhaka.
According to Kadamtali Thana sources, Mahadi Hasan Pantha, the victim, had been participating in a peaceful demonstration in the Kadamtali area on July 19, 2024, at around 4:00 PM. The demonstration, organized by students and people opposing discrimination, was taking place in front of the Rayebag Shop in the area. During the protest, members of various Awami League-associated organizations indiscriminately opened fire on the demonstrators. Mahadi Hasan Pantha was shot in the face and died at the scene.
A murder case was filed at Kadamtali Thana on November 8, 2024, following a complaint from the victim's father, Md. Jahangir Hossain. The arrested individuals, Ahad Ali and Iqbal Hossain, are identified as suspects based on the ongoing investigation.
The arrested individuals have been presented before court for further legal proceedings.
MB
