Former coordinator of the Student Against Discrimination movement and Habiganj district unit member secretary Mahdi Hasan on Wednesday alleged that leaders and activists of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, student wing of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party, chased him in Habiganj town, forcing him to take shelter at the Sadar police station.

Mahdi told New Age that the incident occurred at around noon in front of Habiganj Government Brindaban College while he was on his way to attend a driving test.

‘I was forced to take shelter at the police station after being chased by JCD activists,’ he said.

He later made a verbal complaint to the duty officer of the police station and informed police that he feared for his safety.

‘I told the police that I have security concerns and that JCD activists may attack me at any time,’ he said, adding that he was preparing to take legal action.

Mahdi alleged that JCD activists had been threatening him for the past two days over a Facebook post in which he praised BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia for her uncompromising leadership but criticised BNP founder Ziaur Rahman over what he described as his controversial historical role.

He claimed that JCD activists also went to his village home in search of him after the post.

‘I am afraid to return home because of the possibility of an attack,’ Mahdi said.

Habiganj Sadar police station officer-in-charge Zahid Hossain confirmed that Mahdi had lodged a verbal complaint.

‘We are investigating the matter. So far, we have not found any evidence that anyone chased him,’ the police officer said.

Mahdi drew public attention earlier this year after he was arrested on January 2 over allegations of misbehaving with the OC of Shaistaganj police station and attempting to secure the release of a fellow organisation activist from police custody.