Additional Commissioner of the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Mohammad Harun or Rashid on Wednesday said the top BNP, who now are on police remand, admitted their involvement in recent arson attacks and vandalism.
He made this remark while talking to the journalists at his office in the capital Dhaka.
The DB chief also said, “ BNP leaders attacked the residence of the chief justice and torched BRTC buses from BNP's meeting during their grand rally on 28 October.
Harun, claimed that during primary interrogation, the senior BNP leaders who are on police remand confessed their involvement in the recent arson attacks and acts of vandalism throughout the country.
The senior police officer further said. "When we reviewed the CCTV and video footages of the arson attacks and vandalism, we found their clear involvement.”
Video footage found your [BNP leaders] role on that day. Sultan Salahuddin was running with a stick, Rabiul Islam Nayan was setting fire to buses, he added.
"We recovered gunpowder from the house of former central leader of Chhatra Dal Abu Saeed Mintu-who has given a confession. After watching everything, the BNP central leaders expressed regret and said it was not fair, he continued.
The DB chief said BNP thought that by setting fire to some places, the government would be scared, or the police would be demoralised.
"The work of the police force is to provide security to people's lives and properties. Police are vigilant to ensure the smooth movement of the common people," he added.
Harun also said that every member of the police, the DB and thana police are patrolling in different areas of the city round the clock. "They are also performing their duties in plain cloth."
"None will be spared who wants to do such criminal acts. Even, reward will be given if the people can catch the criminals and hand over them to police," he added.
Lalbagh and Motijheel Divisions of the DB arrested five more people who were involved in setting of fire and damaging vehicles during the strike and blockade.
Regarding the issue , Harun said, "We have arrested several people who played vital role in destructive activities by participating in the BNP rally. I got the names of many participants. Among them, Syed Hasan Mintu, agriculture secretary of Juba Dal's Central Committee, was arrested with eight kilograms of gun powder. Mintu confessed that he made these with the help of Bashar and Masud. He also said that Rabiul Islam Nayan and Sultan Salahuddin also helped him."