2 BNP leaders among 6 detained in Sylhet for hijacking attempt

Police have detained six individuals, including two local BNP leaders, for their attempted hijacking of a truck loaded with smuggled Indian sugar in Sylhet.

The incident occurred late Sunday night near the Sadipur Bridge along the Sylhet-Dhaka highway, Osmaninagar Police Station's Officer-in-Charge (Investigation) Arafat Jahan Chowdhury confirmed.

The detained BNP leaders are Md Soleman Hossain Suman, 42, general secretary of Sylhet Metropolitan Ward-25 BNP; and Md Abdul Mannan, 43, general secretary of Ward-26.

Four others involved in the smuggling operation – Monir Ahmad, 32; Tofayel Ahmad, 26; Shahin Ahmad, 25; and Nazrul Islam, 42 – were also apprehended.

OC Arafat said, "We seized a truck loaded with Indian sugar, two microbuses, and two motorcycles. Four individuals were involved in the smuggling operation, while two were caught attempting to hijack the sugar-laden truck."

The truck, carrying 250 sacks of smuggled sugar from Jaintiapur, was being followed by four smugglers in a black microbus. While en route, a group of hijackers in another microbus and on two motorcycles attempted to hijack the truck.

At around 11:30pm, police, with assistance from locals, managed to intercept the truck and vehicles near the Sadipur Bridge, along with the six individuals. 

"Several others involved in the hijacking attempt escaped. Upon detention, the two BNP leaders identified themselves to the police," the OC added.

In the wake of the incident, the detained BNP leaders have been expelled from the party. 

In a statement issued today, the Sylhet Metropolitan BNP announced their expulsion for "engaging in activities that violated party discipline."

Police said preparations are underway to file cases against the two BNP leaders for attempted hijacking and the remaining four for smuggling.