Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested a former leader of Jatiyatabadi Chattra Dal in connection with firing of bullets while campaigning election in city’s Gopibagh area on behalf of BNP-backed Dhaka South mayoral candidate Ishraque Hossain.
He was identified as Ariful Islam Arif 45, a former leader of the BNP’s student affiliate Chhatra Dal. DB official said he was also working as the personal assistant of Ishraque.
Earlier on January 26, several gunshots were raised during the fierce clashes between supporters of Ishraque and two Awami League backed councillor candidates.
While addressing a press conference at DMP Media Centre in the capital, DMP (DB) Additional Commissioner Abdul Baten said, “During the primary interrogation, Ariful admitted that he was working as Ishraque’s personal assistant.”
Acting on a tip-off, a team of DB raided at Hatirjheel area around 12:45 am on Thursday, he added.
After the Gopibagh clash, DB team was conducting a shadow investigation into the incident alongside local police.
Additional Commissioner Baten said that they identified Ariful after reviewing photos and video footages.
Meanwhile, one Khorshed Alam quoting Ishraque claimed he (Ishraque) had no personal assistant secretary.
He, however, admitted that Ariful is a supporter of Ishraque and he was working for BNP nominated mayoral candidate Ishraque.