Former lawmaker Shibli Sadiq among 194 charged for attempted sabotage and illegal rally in Dinajpur

A case under the Anti-Terrorism Act has been filed against former Member of Parliament Shibli Sadik and leaders of the now-banned Awami League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League in Nawabganj, Dinajpur. The charges stem from an alleged torchlight procession and attempted sabotage aimed at protesting the sentencing of Sheikh Hasina.

Sub-Inspector Golam Mostofa of Nawabganj Police Station filed the case on Sunday night, naming 114 individuals as defendants, with an additional 70 to 80 unidentified persons also listed.

According to the police report, the suspects gathered on August 9 at approximately 9:00 p.m. in the Binodnagar Paharpur area along the Pathanganj-Dangserhat road. Investigators allege the group acted under the directives of Shibli Sadik to organize a procession armed with machetes, iron rods, samurai swords, hockey sticks, and bamboo staves. Police intervened at approximately 10:15 p.m. after receiving intelligence regarding the gathering. While most participants fled the scene upon the arrival of law enforcement, officers apprehended two individuals, identified as Raj Islam and Masud Rana.

The accused include Shibli Sadik (44), the former MP for Dinajpur-6 and president of the Nawabganj unit of the Awami League; General Secretary Shah Md. Ziaur Rahman, also known as Manik (52); former Upazila Chairman and Awami League organizing secretary Tajwar Mohammad Fahim, alias Ninty (37); joint general secretaries Sayem Sabuj (47) and Sanowar Hossain Mondal (58); along with local leaders from the banned volunteer and student wings of the party, including Abul Bashar, Shahinur Rahman, Shamim Hossain, and Russell Mia.

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Nawabganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Kuddus confirmed that the two detained suspects were presented before a Dinajpur court on Monday afternoon. Efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining suspects named in the case.

Meanwhile, leaders from the Jamaat-e-Islami party have contested the filing, claiming five of their active members were falsely implicated to suppress the party’s political activities. Anwarul Islam, a central Majlish-e-Shura member and former Dinajpur district amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, alleged that Harun-or-Rashid, Md. Rokonuzzaman, Mostofa Kamal Naushad, Abdus Sattar, and Rafiqul Islam were targeted to intimidate party supporters ahead of future public demonstrations.