Dhaka, 01 November (H.S.): The Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has arrested retired Major Khandaker Abdul Hafiz in connection with a case involving allegations of anti-state conspiracy, violent incitement, illegal funding and propaganda on social media.

DMP Additional Commissioner (DB) Md Shafiqul Islam said a DB team picked up Hafiz from the Banani area of the capital late on Thursday night.

According to a report by the Dhaka Tribune, Shafiqul Islam said on Sunday that Hafiz had been arrested in connection with the same case in which two other former Army officers had already been taken into custody. He alleged that Hafiz, retired Lieutenant Colonel Debashish Kumar Barua and retired Lieutenant Kazi Gulshan Ara were involved in anti-state activities.

Debashish and Gulshan Ara are currently in jail in connection with a case registered at Pallabi Police Station under several provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Cyber Security Ordinance. Earlier, the Detective Branch had arrested the two retired military officers in Dhaka on the night of October 11.

The DB had previously claimed that it possessed information about their alleged links to activities of the Awami League, whose activities are currently banned, as part of an alleged conspiracy to create instability in the country.

The Detective Branch said the two officers had been arrested on the basis of specific information regarding their alleged involvement in anti-state propaganda on social media and attempts to undermine public security through cybercrimes.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar