BNP Leader Detained in Comilla, Police Station Besieged
Collected Photo
Leaders, activists, and supporters of the BNP laid siege to Kotwali Model Police Station in protest after police detained Comilla Adarsha Sadar upazila BNP President Rezaul Kaiyum. They also blocked the Shashongacha bus terminal, halting all bus movement from the area.
Members of Kotwali Model Police Station and the district detective branch detained Rezaul Kaiyum around 12:00pm on Sunday from his residence in the Shashongacha area of Comilla city. He previously served as a joint convener of the Comilla South district BNP.
Police confirmed the detention but did not disclose a specific reason. However, a law enforcement source said authorities acted on instructions from higher levels. He faces allegations of controlling extortion at the Shashongacha bus terminal.
Immediately after the detention, drivers and transport workers from various services blocked the Shashongacha bus terminal, suspending all bus operations from the site.
Around 12:30pm, more than a hundred activists gathered inside the Kotwali police station compound. Many of them were transport workers. They chanted slogans and took control of the main gate. Authorities deployed additional police to manage the situation.
Officer-in-Charge Touhidul Anwar of Kotwali Model Police Station said officials detained Rezaul Kaiyum for questioning under instructions from senior authorities. Police have not yet formally arrested him. He added that some people were staging a protest in front of the station and officers were trying to calm them.
Additional Superintendent of Police Saiful Malek said officers detained him for questioning over certain matters and would provide details later.
Attempts to contact District Police Superintendent Anisuzzaman went unanswered. The blockade and protests outside the police station continued until at least 2:30pm.
