Dhaka: Jahangir Kabir, general secretary of the Barguna District Awami League, was detained by a police team from Dhaka on Wednesday on charges of conspiring to cause unrest following an alleged viral telephonic conversation with ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, media reports said.
He was taken into custody from his residence in Amtala, Barguna Municipality, at around 6 am, reported Dhaka Tribune.
The arrest follows allegations of conspiracy to create unrest in Barguna, according to Officer-in-Charge (OC) KM Mizanur Rahman of Barguna Sadar police station.
Rahman confirmed that Kabir’s detention was related to the viral phone conversation.
In the three-minute call, circulated on Facebook, Sheikh Hasina instructed Kabir to conduct party activities with discipline and to observe the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15 appropriately, according to Dhaka Tribune.
During the call, Kabir reassured Hasina, saying, “Apa, don’t worry. If you worry, we become weak. We remain strong.”
Hasina responded: “Why would I worry? I’m not afraid. You’ve seen how they’ve hung and beaten our police force. They’ve attacked our workers, even disguised in burqas. This country gained independence through bloodshed. Stay as you are.”