Awami League leader Serniyabat arrested in Barishal

Police have arrested Abdus Roich Serniyabat, 73, a former upazila chairman and leader of the now-banned Awami League, in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act in Barishal’s Agailjhara upazila.

He was arrested from his home in Seral village under Goila Union around noon on Monday (September 14), Agailjhara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Masud Khan confirmed.

Serniyabat is a resident of the area. He previously served as chairman of the Agailjhara Upazila Parishad and was the former general secretary of the Agailjhara upazila unit of the Awami League. He was also a member of the Barishal district unit of the party.

Police said a group had recently been preparing to hold a procession on a road in Seral village, allegedly creating fear and panic among local residents. Serniyabat and leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organisations were allegedly involved in the preparations.

A case was later filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Police said Serniyabat was listed as an unidentified absconding accused in the case and was subsequently shown arrested.

Agailjhara OC Mohammad Masud Khan said:

“Awami League leader Abdus Roich Serniyabat has been shown arrested in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act and was sent to jail through the court.”