CHATTOGRAM, April 22, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir today said 'Gupta' (covert) politics will not be tolerated on educational institution campuses in Chattogram and elsewhere in the country. "Attacks are being deliberately carried out on Chhatra Dal leaders and activists, with attempts to shift the blame onto them," he told a protest rally held in the afternoon at New Market intersection in the port city, protesting an alleged attack on JCD activists of Chattogram City College. Earlier, the procession began from the Old Railway Station ground and marched through different roads before ending at the rally venue. JCD Secretary Nasir said, "We do politics openly. The position of each of our leaders and activists is clear. But the opposition carries out attacks secretly and later tries to portray themselves as victims." He added that differences of opinion should be expressed through logic and discussion, and counter-arguments can be made if any statement or writing is disagreed with. "Resorting to attacks instead proves they do not believe in a normal political environment," he said. Nasir also said several of their activists were injured in the recent incident at Chattogram City College. He alleged that misleading information is being spread on social media to divert the incident in a different direction. He stressed the need to stop violence in educational institutions and ensure a normal academic environment, warning of tougher programmes if such incidents recur. Presided over by Chattogram city JCD Convener Saiful Alam and moderated by Member Secretary Shariful Islam Tuhin, the rally was also attended by Chattogram University JCD President Alauddin Mohsin, General Secretary Abdullah Noman, South district Convener Rabiul Alam Rabi, North district President Takibul Hasan Chowdhury Taki and General Secretary Sarwar Hossain Rubel, among others.

BAGERHAT, April 22, 2026 (BSS) - Police have arrested Azim Bhuiyan alias Kana Azim, the main accused in a case involving the kidnapping, torture and extortion of a hotel owner in Bagerhat. He was arrested this afternoon from the Basabati area of the town. Police said yaba tablets were recovered from his possession at the time of arrest. According to Bagerhat Sadar Model Police Station and the case statement, the victim, Md. Riazul Islam Hasan (26), had been operating a residential hotel named "Hasan Abasik" at the Rahat intersection under a three-year lease. Since taking over the hotel, Azim Bhuiyan and his associates had allegedly been demanding one lakh taka in extortion. When he refused to pay, they pressured him to hand over control of the hotel. On the night of April 16, a group of seven to eight men, including Azim, reportedly entered the hotel and abducted Riazul. They took him to a residential area where he was beaten with iron rods and sticks. During the assault, the attackers recorded a video in which they forced him to confess and demanded money in exchange for returning control of the hotel. Although he was released the next day, the accused allegedly abducted him again on the morning of April 20. He was taken to a rented house, where he was tortured further, stripped, and subjected to inhumane abuse. According to the complaint, the attackers hung a water bottle from his private parts and recorded the incident, later threatening to release the video on social media if he did not pay a ransom. He was eventually released that afternoon after promising to pay Tk 50,000. After his release, Riazul received treatment at the 250-bed Bagerhat District Hospital. He later filed a case with Bagerhat Model Police Station on April 21, naming seven individuals, including Azim Bhuiyan, as accused, along with 8-10 unidentified persons. Locals allege that Azim Bhuiyan has long been involved in criminal activities in the area. Sardar Jasim, former convener of Bagerhat Municipal Jubo Dal, said residents have suffered from extortion, land grabbing and violence carried out by Azim and his group. He also claimed that despite previous arrests, the accused were released on bail and resumed their activities. Azim Bhuiyan and his brother Selim Bhuiyan have also been accused in separate incidents, including looting fish and livestock from a six-acre fish enclosure owned by retired sub-registrar Md. Fazlar Rahman. Rahman alleged that fish worth around two lakh taka and goats were stolen in two separate attacks earlier this year, adding that he did not receive justice despite filing cases. Officer-in-Charge Shahidul Islam of Bagerhat Sadar Model Police Station confirmed the arrest and said that operations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining accused. He added that multiple allegations, including extortion, kidnapping and land encroachment, have been brought against Azim Bhuiyan.