Land dispute behind vandalism at content creator’s studio: Home Minister

The vandalism at content creator Salman Muqtadir’s tin-shed studio in the capital’s ECB area was linked to a dispute over 35 katha of land, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, the minister said preliminary investigation showed the conflict involved New Guinea Properties Limited and a retired military officer. 

A group acting on behalf of the officer allegedly went to occupy the disputed land at night and vandalised several structures, including the one used by Muqtadir.

Police responded to a 999 call, arrested three people at the scene and recovered empty bullet casings along with locally made weapons. 

Muqtadir has not yet filed a case over the incident. 

The minister said the legal process is under way and a case may be lodged soon.

Responding to allegations that Muqtadir had called the BNP an “extortionist party” during a Facebook Live, Salahuddin Ahmed noted that the content creator himself said no one had demanded money from him. 

“If no one asked him for money and he says he would have paid if asked, how can he make a sweeping claim branding the BNP an extortionist party?” the minister asked. 

He added that Muqtadir could file a specific case if he had concrete complaints, which the authorities would then investigate.

Raid on JASAD central office

Police raided the central office of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JASAD) on Saturday following intelligence that people linked to the banned Awami League had gathered there to plan sabotage, the home minister said.

Between 150 and 200 people were detained. 

Twenty-seven remain in custody for interrogation, forensic tests and further verification. 

“If evidence emerges that any of them were involved in sabotage, cases will be filed,” Salahuddin Ahmed said. 

He clarified that political parties do not require police permission to hold discussions in their offices, though he could not immediately confirm whether permission had been sought for the gathering in question.

Shah Ali OC withdrawn over negligence

The officer-in-charge of Shah Ali Thana has been withdrawn after preliminary findings pointed to police negligence in a case of vandalism and attempted occupation of a healthcare centre in Mirpur.

The incident, which occurred around midnight on September 25, damaged a clinic and disrupted a long-running child vaccination programme. Nine people have been arrested so far. The minister said departmental proceedings would follow the OC’s immediate withdrawal. 

“We will not consider who they are or what their political identity may be,” he added.

Comments on cocktail blasts and police transfers

Salahuddin Ahmed described as “incoherent and unbalanced” a political leader’s claim that cocktail explosions in Dhaka would stop if an alliance’s demands were met. 

On police transfers, he said officers could be shifted for administrative reasons or negligence of duty, but transfer was not the final step and departmental action could also be taken where necessary.