45 Arrested Over BTRC Bhaban Vandalism

A Dhaka court has ordered the detention of 45 people in connection with the attack and vandalism at the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) headquarters in Agargaon on January 1.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Ishrat Hasan issued the order, denying bail petitions filed by the accused and sending them to jail yesterday.

Those remanded include Md Shahjahan, Apurba Islam, Shariful Islam Niloy, Md Jahid Hasan Hridoy, Md Shahed Bhuiyan, Bulbul Ahmed, Dipak Hajra, Md Manna Hossain, Yasin Arafat Arnab, Md Ashraf Uddin, Md Shah Jalal, Md Shahin, Md Naim Saidur Rahman, Imtiaj Ahmed Hridoy, Md Ramjan, Md Sabbir Hossain, Md Tarikul Islam Rifat, Md Moin Hossain Rajon, Md Anik Hossain, Md Tarikul Islam, Md Rifat Hossain, Md Hanif Miah, Md Shahadat Hossain Rabbi, Md Sahonul Haque, Md Tarek Aziz, Md Sajjad Islam, Md Shipon, Md Ejaj Hossain Siam, Md Unayes Imran, Md Monir Akter, Md Haris, Md Sabbir Hossain Bijoy, SM Motiur Rahman, Md Rajon Sheikh, Md Abu Sadik Rakib, Md Mamun Bepari, Md Mojibur Rahman, Md Salah Uddin Bepari, Md Aminul Islam Nayem, Md Rakibul Hasan Rakib, Md Abdullah Sabuj, Md Delwar Hossain, and Syed Ahmed Shuvo.

Court records show that the incident occurred on the day the government formally launched the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR). Later that day, an estimated 500 to 600 people allegedly stormed the BTRC headquarters, damaging parts of the building and a staff bus parked outside.

Police detained 45 individuals in connection with the violence and filed a case under the Special Powers Act with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station. The accused were later produced before the court.