Police file case against 37 in Pabna on charges of conspiracy to overthrow government

On Sunday (July 19), Sub-Inspector (SI) Parvez Akhtar of Pabna Sadar Police Station filed the case (No-36) at Pabna Sadar Police Station under the Special Powers Act, 1974, and relevant sections of the Penal Code.

Notable accused in the case include former general secretary of Pabna District Chhatra League Tajul Islam (38), outgoing general secretary Mir Rabbul Islam Simanto (27), current president Jubayer Biswas Antu (32), and general secretary Toushikur Rahman alias Rava (28).

According to Pabna Sadar Police Station sources, the case has been filed on charges of anti-state activities, illegal assembly, and planning sabotage. Drives are being conducted in various areas of the district to arrest the named and unidentified absconding accused.

According to the case complaint, on the night of July 16 at around 12:10 AM, a large number of leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and Chhatra League gathered for a secret meeting in front of the Shalgadia Sub-Registry Office in Ward No. 7 of Pabna municipality and beside Maligacha Government Primary School. The complaint states that they were involved in a conspiracy to seize state power through sabotage activities by deteriorating the law and order situation of the country.

Police said that based on a tip-off, a raid was conducted at around 12:25 AM in the Zakir's Mor area on Sadar Hospital Road. Sensing the presence of police, the accused fled on motorcycles and on foot, dropping local weapons and brickbats.

After the raid, a search of the scene led to the seizure of a Chinese axe, three iron rods, three bamboo sticks, and 20 brickbats. Police said these pieces of evidence were listed in a seizure list in the presence of two local witnesses.

No comment was obtained from the accused regarding the case. Police said they could not contact the accused as they are absconding.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Pabna Sadar Police Station, Tarikul Islam, confirmed the matter and said that police operations to arrest the accused are ongoing.