RAB arrests Rafiqul Islam Madani
Hefazat-e-Islam demands his release, threatens tougher movements otherwise
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Wednesday arrested religious speaker Rafiqul Islam Madani (27) – also known as child preacher — from his ancestral home in Netrokona'sPurbatola area on charge of anti-state remarks and inciting chaos.
Imran Hossain, assistant director at the RAB headquarters, confirmed the arrest to The Business Standard, saying Madani was arrested on Wednesday morning.
He said Madani will be handed to Netrokona police after filing a case.
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In the meantime, claiming Madani as a central committee member, Islamic advocacy group Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh demanded his unconditional release.
In a press briefing at Netrokona Press Club on Wednesday noon, Hefazat leaders also threatened tougher movements otherwise. Hefazat-e-Islam central committee leaders including Mowlana Abdul Kaiyum were present at the press briefing.
At the press briefing, Madani's elder brother Ramzan Mia said Madani came to Mymensingh to join a religious meeting Tuesday.
After the programme, he returned home and the family members went to bed after dinner. At around 2:30am, a RAB team with 19 cars surrounded their house, said the elder brother.
Ramzan Mia said RAB detained three individuals including Madani while one of them was released on Wednesday morning.
Earlier on 26 March, Rafiqul and around 30 others were detained after clashes between police and anti-Modi protesters in Dhaka. However, he was released later.
The religious speaker was born in Netrokona. He is a director of a Madrasha in Netrokona's Bilaspur area.
