JCD leaders collected firearms on orders of BNP high command: DB

The six arrested Chhatra Dal leaders collected firearms on the orders of BNP central leaders to create an unstable situation in the country ahead of the national election, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police said today.

At a press conference regarding the arrests at the DMP media centre today, DMP Joint Commissioner (Cyber and Special Crime and DB North) Khondkar Nurunnabi said three firearms were seized from the arrestees.

They collected two of the weapons from Pabna and one from Teknaf, Nurunnabi said.

According to the police official, they also found information about firearms in the Whatsapp conversations of the arrested individuals.

The BNP had earlier alleged that the six Chhatra Dal leaders were picked up by plainclothes men on Friday, but Nurunnabi said today that they were arrested yesterday from Lalbagh by Gulshan police.

He said 12 other BNP leaders and activists, including Robin, the son of BNP leader Salahuddin, were arrested by DB last night during another drive.

After initial questioning, the DB said it found that the Dhaka University Chhatra Dal unit and other university units had been directed by the BNP high command and Chhatra Dal high command to topple the current government by inciting fear and panic in the populace through display of illegal firearms in order to strengthen the BNP on the streets.