GOP leader besieged for 3.5 hours after threatening to blow up Polytechnic Institute

Abdur Rakib, the Senior Assistant Organizational Secretary of the Chapainawabganj District Gono Odhikar Parishad, was besieged for three and a half hours on Sunday evening following a chase by students. The outrage erupted over a viral social media video where he allegedly threatened to blow up the Chapainawabganj Polytechnic Institute in just one and a half minutes. He also faces allegations of extortion and drug trafficking.

The incident took place in the Baroghoria Nutun Bazar area of Chapainawabganj. Later, members of the police and army rescued him from a student mess and took him into custody.

Allegations of Criminal Activities

According to local residents and students, Abdur Rakib had long been leading a "juvenile gang" in the Baroghoria area. There was growing resentment against him for allegedly torturing locals, extorting students, and an attempted robbery of mobile phones and cash from two students last Friday. Tensions reached a boiling point when the video message threatening the institute surfaced. On Sunday evening, upon spotting him in the area, Polytechnic students chased him, forcing him to take shelter in a nearby mess where he remained trapped until the joint forces intervened.

Principal’s Statement

Omor Faruq, the Principal of Chapainawabganj Polytechnic Institute, stated, “There have been long-standing allegations of extortion and harassment against Abdur Rakib’s gang targeting our students and locals. A few days ago, he was released from the police station after admitting his mistakes. Recently, there was an attempted robbery involving our students, coupled with the bomb threat on social media. Today, when students found him, they chased him away. The army and police later took him away.”

Police Action

The police confirmed that Rakib is currently in custody to maintain law and order. Chapainawabganj Additional Superintendent of Police Wasim Firoz said, “When chased, Abdur Rakib took shelter in a mess. Police and army personnel rescued him and brought the situation under control. He is currently at the station, and legal action will be taken if the college authorities file a formal case.”

Notably, Abdur Rakib has a history of alleged criminal activities. He was an accused in a cocktail (crude bomb) attack in Baroghoria Bazar on February 27 last year, which left six people injured, including a local Union Parishad Chairman.