Section 144 Imposed in Hathazari as Two Groups Face Off

In Hathazari, Chattogram, two groups have come to a standstill over an "objectionable video" posted on social media, creating a tense situation.

To regain control of the situation, the Upazila administration has imposed Section 144. The police have also detained the young man who posted the video.

The order, signed by Hathazari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Muhammad Abdullah Al Mumin, was issued on Saturday night (September 6).

The order states that to maintain public safety, peace, and order, Section 144 will be in effect from 10 p.m. on Saturday night until 3 p.m. on Sunday (September 7) in the areas on both sides of the road from Mirer Hat to the Egara Mile Substation and from the Upazila Gate to the Agricultural Training Institute.

During this time, all types of public meetings, protests, and mass gatherings have been banned. The carrying of explosives, firearms, local weapons, and the gathering of five or more people are also prohibited.

Arrest of the Accused
Earlier in the evening, following the tense events, police arrested a 20-year-old man named Aryan Ibrahim. He is the son of the late Md. Musa from the Shafiqia Darbar Sharif area of Ward No. 3 in Fatikchhari Municipality.

According to police, Aryan took an obscene photo of himself in front of Hathazari Madrasa while on his way to a procession in Chattogram and posted it on Facebook.

The photo quickly spread on social media, causing widespread outrage and tension in the Fatikchhari and Hathazari areas.

Police arrested him on Saturday evening from the Shafiqia Darbar Sharif area as he was returning from Soloshohor.

Political Affiliation Denied
While the accused, Aryan, identified himself as the president of Ward No. 3 of Fatikchhari Municipality Chhatra Dal on Facebook, the president of Fatikchhari Municipality Chhatra Dal, Ekram Ullah Chowdhury, stated that Aryan is not a member of the Chhatra Dal and is using the organization's name to mislead people.

He said they have requested the administration to take legal action against Aryan and that the organization will also take its own disciplinary measures.

Additional Chattogram District Superintendent of Police (Hathazari Circle) Kazi Tareq Aziz said that the Upazila administration has imposed Section 144.

With the two groups facing off, they are trying to calm the situation by talking to local leaders and are deploying additional police. Preparations are also underway to send in the army.