10 arrested from Jessore MM College dormitory

Following bomb explosions at Jessore Shaheed Minar at midnight, police arrested 10 students from Shaheed Asad Hall of MM College early yesterday. 

During the raid at around 3:30am on the student dormitory, known as a stronghold of the college unit of Chhatra League, police recovered ten crude bombs, 100 grams of gunpowder, bomb making materials and seven iron bars.

The wreath placing event at the first hour on the International Mother Language Day was disrupted due to the chaotic situation following the bomb explosions and frequent firing at the Shaheed Minar.

Locals said the violence was a sequel of the race between the local lawmaker Kazi Nabil Ahmad and Shaheen Chakladar, secretary of the district Awami League and chairman of Sadar upazila parishad.

At least five crude bombs went off near the Shaheed Minar, when Chhatra League activists loyal to Shaheen Chakladar started creating chaos centring placing of wreaths immediately after the lawmaker, deputy commissioner, superintendent of police and MM College principal left the premises, said Ilias Hossain, officer-in-charge of Jessore Kotwali Police Station.

Opponents of the lawmaker conducted the bombs attack, leading to a chase and counter-chase and firing of several gunshots, he said. 

Police fired 23 rounds of blank shots and three teargas canisters to disperse the unruly people and bring the situation under control, he added.  

Police filed a case accusing 50/60 unnamed people in this connection, the OC said.

On the other hand, district BCL secretary Anwar Hossain Bipul told journalists that police arrested the Chhatra League activists to divert attention from the bomb attacks and firing incidents.