Mahdi Hasan, member secretary of the Habiganj unit of Students Against Discrimination, went live on Facebook today, alleging that Chhatra Dal leaders and activists were chasing him with the intention of attacking him.
Mahdi, who was detained by police in January over controversial remarks about the 2024 arson attack on a police station and the assault of a police officer, and later granted bail, broadcast the live video from his Facebook account around 1:30pm.
In the video, he was heard saying, "Chhatra Dal is coming to attack me. Don't I have the right to express my personal opinion?"
According to Mahdi, after completing a driving test in the Court Station area of Habiganj town in the morning, he took an auto-rickshaw to the Court Mosque area. While passing Brindaban Government College, several Chhatra Dal leaders and activists began chasing him, he claimed.
He then took shelter at Habiganj Sadar Model Police Station, he said.
Habiganj Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Zahid Hossain confirmed that Mahdi came to the police station and complained that he was being chased by Chhatra Dal leaders and activists.
"However, no one was visible in the footage of his Facebook live [video]. Nevertheless, the matter is being investigated," the OC said.
Meanwhile, Habiganj district Chhatra Dal President Shah Rajib Ahmed Ringon rejected the allegations.
He said, "Mahdi's Facebook live itself proves the baselessness of the allegations. When he showed the rear side of the rickshaw during the live broadcast, no one could be seen following him. The allegations against Chhatra Dal are completely false, fabricated, and baseless. This appears to be nothing more than an attempt to gain attention on social media."
When contacted by phone, Mahdi said, "I am suffering from a sense of insecurity and will take legal action regarding the matter today."
Earlier in January, Mahdi was detained following a confrontation with Shayestaganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abul Kalam after the arrest of Enamul Hasan Nayan, who was claimed by some SAD members as an activist. The incident prompted SAD leaders, including Mahdi, to gather outside the police station and later enter the OC’s office.
During a verbal altercation, Mahdi allegedly made remarks referring to the 2024 arson attack on Baniachong Police Station and the assault of Sub-Inspector Santosh. In a video of the incident that later circulated on social media, he was heard saying, "We, the July Movement activists, brought the government to power. And you, as an officer of the administration, have arrested our boy. The most important movement took place in Habiganj, where 10 people were killed. We burned down the Baniachong police station, we set SI Santosh on fire. Do you think so many of our boys just appeared out of nowhere?"
Police later clarified that the Baniachong incident occurred on August 5, 2024, when the police station was attacked and arson took place, and SI Santosh was severely assaulted.
Following the incident, the SAD central committee issued a show-cause notice to Mahdi.
Mahdi was granted bail a day after his detention. He was produced before the court nearly 14 hours after his detention. More than a hundred leaders and activists of the organisation gathered at the court premises at the time.
