Acting Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Maulana ATM Masum has issued the following statement on 28th August 2023 protesting and condemning the unjustified arrest of Chittagong city Jamaat’s organizing secretary and former councilor Principal Shamsuzzaman Helali.

Police on 28th August afternoon, has arrested Chittagong city Jamaat’s organizing secretary and former councilor of Chittagong city corporation’s 8 number Shulokbohor ward Principal Shamsuzzaman Helali after breaking the gate of the of building and subsequently the door of the house. Such a heinous arrest of a popular leader and an elected public representative exposed the fascist face of the incumbent government. This arrest is a clear violation of law and human rights. I am vehemently condemning this arrest incident.

Police has been continuing arrest drives against the leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatrashibir for last couple of days in various places of the country. During these raids, furniture of the houses and business institutions are being vandalized. Even, women, kids and aged members of the family are also being harassed. The brutal arrest incident of Principal Shamsuzzaman Helali is another example of authority’s brutalities.

The people have no confidence upon this government anymore. The government is conducting arrest drives in fear of losing the power. They have seized people’s basic rights including the voting rights away. The government also turned the nation into a police state. But the dissident views can never be subdued through torture, repression and arrest drives. Such malpractices do not bring good result for anybody.

I am urging the concerned authorities to stop ongoing repression and arrest drives and also to release all detained leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatrashibir including Principal Shamsuzzaman Helali immediately.