Quota reform leader Faruk shown arrested, finally

The police on Tuesday admitted that Faruk Hossain, a Dhaka University student who is one of leading figures in quota reforms movement, has been arrested.

The police earlier denied their knowledge of the whereabouts of Faruk Hossain, joint convenor of Sadharon Chhatra Odhikar Songrokhon Parishad. after he had been allegedly picked up by the ruling party-backed student activists from Central Shaheed Minar area in the capital on Monday morning.

Following Faruk’s disappearance, his brother Md Ariful Islam searched for him at the Shahbag, Ramna, New Market police stations on Tuesday, but he was not found anywhere.

But finally, deputy commissioner (media and public relations) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Masudur Rahman confirmed to Prothom Alo that Faruk was being taken to the court.

He has been shown arrested in connection with a case relating burning of a motor bike.

It has been learnt that on last Saturday, Bangladesh Chhatra League activists attacked members of Sadharon Chhatra Odhikar Songrokhon Parishad while they were preparing for a press conference in front of the Dhaka University’s Central Library. A motorbike was set on fire there. Faruk was shown arrested in the arson case.

Faruk, the police added, could be produced before court this afternoon (Tuesday).

Faruk’s brother Ariful Islam earlier told Prothom Alo that Al Amin, a member of Bangladesh Chhatra League, confessed to him that he took Faruk to Shahbag police station on Monday.

Following Faruk’s disappearance, his brother Ariful searched for him at the Shahbag, Ramna, New Market police stations on Tuesday, but he was not found anywhere.

Shahbag police station on-duty policeman Ramzan Hossain then told Prothom Alo that there was no one named Faruk at the police station.

Neither had any case been filed against Faruk with the police station, the policeman added.