Labor Leader Arrested in Lakshmipur Over Alleged Defamatory Facebook Posts

Police in Raipur Upazila of Lakshmipur have arrested Anwar Hossain, a leader of Jatiya Sramik Shakti, on allegations of posting defamatory and offensive remarks about Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Facebook. He was sent to jail through a court order on Sunday.

Anwar Hossain is an organizer of the central committee of Sramik Shakti, the labor wing affiliated with the National Citizen Party (NCP). He is a resident of Sonapur village under Ward No. 8 of Sonapur Union in Raipur Upazila.

In protest of the arrest, NCP leaders and activists staged a demonstration in Raipur town on Sunday afternoon.

According to police and case documents, Ruhul Amin, General Secretary of the Sonapur Union Jubo Dal, filed a case with Raipur Police Station on Sunday. The complaint alleges that defamatory and offensive statements targeting Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, and Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie were circulated on Facebook.

The case was filed under various sections of the Cyber Security Act and the Penal Code, naming eight accused, including Anwar Hossain.

Among those named in the case are Anwar’s two brothers, Iman Hossain and Rubel Hossain, as well as another individual identified as Dipu. Four additional unidentified persons have also been listed as accused.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), Anwar allegedly posted defamatory content against the Prime Minister and two cabinet ministers on his Facebook account. The complaint further alleges that when the complainant and others sought an explanation regarding the posts, they were attacked by Anwar and his associates. The FIR also claims that an attempt was made to strangle the complainant.

Police said Anwar was detained from his residence in Sonapur village on Saturday night by local residents and later handed over to law enforcement authorities.

Alamgir Hossain, Senior Joint Member Secretary of the NCP’s Lakshmipur district committee, alleged that BNP activists attacked and vandalized Anwar’s home before assaulting him and handing him over to police. He condemned the incident, saying that political differences should not lead to violence against political activists.

However, complainant Ruhul Amin denied allegations of any attack or vandalism at Anwar’s residence. He said the case was filed after offensive remarks concerning the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and Water Resources Minister were posted on Facebook, and claimed that their group was attacked when they questioned the matter.

Raipur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shahin Mia confirmed that Anwar Hossain was arrested in connection with the Cyber Security Act case and subsequently sent to jail by court order. He added that efforts are underway to identify and arrest the remaining accused and that the investigation is continuing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

Police said further legal action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.