JHALAKATHI, June 24 (V7N) – Police in Jhalakathi have arrested Shah Alam Khan Farsu, a local Youth League leader and former municipal councilor, in connection with a 2022 case involving an alleged attack and bomb blast during an opposition protest. Farsu, who served as the general secretary of Ward 7 Youth League in Jhalakathi Municipality, was apprehended from his residence in the city late Sunday night.

Jhalakathi Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Moniruzzaman confirmed the arrest, stating that Farsu was shown arrested in a case filed on September 15, 2024. The case was lodged by Mukta Begum, former organizing secretary of the Jhalakathi District Women's Wing of the BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party), accusing Farsu and others of an unprovoked attack on a BNP rally.

According to the lawsuit, on January 5, 2022, a protest march organized by the BNP and its affiliated organizations was proceeding in the lawyers' association area around 10:30 AM. It is alleged that Farsu, along with other accused individuals, launched a sudden assault using local weapons, cocktails, and bombs. This reportedly caused extreme panic among BNP activists, many of whom were injured and fled the scene.

Mukta Begum, the plaintiff, claims that she was three months pregnant at the time of the incident and suffered a miscarriage due to the attack. Her lawsuit details that Farsu and his associates allegedly threw her to the ground and repeatedly struck her in the abdomen and chest. She further alleges that after being rescued and taken to the hospital, activists from various Awami League organizations followed her there and forced her out. She subsequently received private medical treatment with the help of relatives, where doctors reportedly confirmed that the attack caused the loss of her unborn child.

Mukta Begum stated that she was unable to file a lawsuit at the time due to the prevailing political situation and fear. However, with the current peaceful environment in the country, she decided to file the case in hopes of obtaining justice.

OC Md. Moniruzzaman confirmed that Shah Alam Khan Farsu had been absconding since the case was filed and is listed as the 26th accused in the incident. He added that several arrest warrants had also been issued against Farsu in other cases by the court.

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