Acting Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Maulana ATM Masum has issued the following statement on 24th February, 2022 condemning the police’s arrests of several leaders and activists from peaceful processions and demonstration which have been organized on 23rd February by Jamaat-e-Islami across the country to protest the government’s issuance of alcohol.
Jamaat-e-Islami organized peaceful demonstration nationwide on 23rd February protesting government’s issuance of alcohol in recent times. Police has arrested Jamaat leaders and activists from these processions. In Bagerhat, police arrested Jamaat’s district Secretary Sheikh Younus Ali and Chhatrashibir’s district Secretary Mahfuzur Rahman. Similarly police arrested Jamaat leader Jillur Rahman Munshi, Nasir Uddin and Shibir leader RanbirRubel from Rangpur city.
In a similar move, police without arrest warrant, detained Satkhira city Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary KhorshedAlam and district’s working committee member JamshedAlam on 23rd February. We are protesting all these arrest incidents.
Since the government came to the power, the have been oppressing Jamaat-e-Islami to eliminate this party. But despite such repression, Jamaat-e-Islami has been continuing party activities democratically and systematically. Jamaat’s activities are obvious and open. Jamaat believes in peaceful programs. However, government has been continuing its crackdown against Jamaat-e-Islami. It has become their routine work.
No movement can be subdued by torture and oppression. Jamaat will never be repressed as well. Rather, the government has lost its credibility due to its misdeeds. If the government fails to stop such crackdown policies, they have to face worst consequences. I am urging the concerned authorities to stop detention and arrest drive in Satkhira, Bagerhat, Rangpur city and other parts of the country and to release all the detained leaders and activists immediately.