Police Detain Social Media Admin over Election Disruption Allegations in Chandpur

Police have detained the administrator of a Telegram channel and a Facebook page in Shahrasti, Chandpur, on allegations of spreading rumours, propaganda and misleading information on social media in an attempt to obstruct the upcoming national parliamentary election.

The detainee, Jahangir Hossain Talukdar (50), administrator of the Telegram and Facebook page titled “Amra Oikyoboddho 64 Jelar Bangabandhu Soinik” (We Are United—Bangabandhu Soldiers of 64 Districts), was detained on Friday afternoon (January 30) based on intelligence information. Police said the activities posed threats to national sovereignty and public security.

Jahangir Hossain Talukdar is a resident of Afaz Mistry Bari in Ward No. 5 of Chitoshi Purba Union under Shahrasti upazila of Chandpur district.

According to police sources, the Telegram channel and Facebook page were being operated under joint adminship using the name of deposed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Law enforcement agencies claim that the platforms were being used to question the credibility of the election process and to create confusion among the public.

Police further stated that Jahangir Hossain Talukdar had previously been involved in activities linked to the now-banned political party Awami League. On June 23 last year, he was named as a warrant-listed accused in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act, following an incident involving anti-state demonstrations and vandalism during the anniversary of the banned organisation at Waruk Station Bazar in South Tamta Union under Shahrasti police station.

Confirming the detention, Mir Mahbubur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Shahrasti Model Police Station, said Jahangir Hossain had been under intelligence surveillance for a long time.
“The mobile phone used by the accused has been seized, and the relevant social media accounts and contents are currently under verification. Preparations are underway to take further legal action against him,” the OC added.

DBTech/BMN/EK/OR