Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Acting Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum has issued the following statement on 12th October 2023 protesting and condemning the unjustified arrests of Sirajganj district Jamaat secretary Professor Zahidul Islam and other leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatrashibir from various places of the country.

“DB police has intentionally arrested Sirajganj district Jamaat secretary Professor Zahidul Islam while he was returning from his working place Razab Ali Degree College. In the previous night, police conducted arrest drive in the houses of the Sirajganj city Jamaat leaders and activists and subsequently detained Jamaat activist Nadir from Soyadhangora Pashchim Para. Police also carried raid in the house of the Sirajganj district Ameer Maulana Shahinur Alam for several times. Police arrested 12 leaders and activists and other passerby following a procession of Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir which has been brought out in the capital on 11th October to press home its 7-point demands. Such incident of arrest is totally unlawful, undemocratic and irresponsible act. I am vehemently condemning the ongoing arrest drives and harassment.

At present, the movement for restoring democracy and public rights is getting intense. This government is functioning without public mandate and they do not have any base now. They became reckless as they are afraid of losing power. Murder, abduction and arrest drives became a routine work of this government. The entire has been transformed as a police state. The law enforcement agencies are being used as a mean for the government to oppress the opposition instead of discharging their regular duties. Due to several over enthusiastic police members, the image of the total force is at stake now. But by conducting these crackdowns, the authority will not be able to subdue the ongoing movement against the fascist regime.

I am urging the countrymen to raise voice against the oppressor regime. Besides, I am calling upon the concerned authorities to stop torture and repression and to release all detained Jamaat and Chhatrashibir leaders and activists including Sirajganj district Jamaat secretary Professor Zahidul Islam immediately.