Tejgaon College teacher sent to jail for leading ‘banned’ Awami League procession

A Dhaka court has ordered a Tejgaon College teacher to jail in a case accusing him of leading a procession of the Awami League, banned from conducting political activities, and detonating improvised bombs earlier this month.

Prof SM Ashraful Alam Askor, 60, head of the Bangla Department at Tejgaon College, was denied bail by Metropolitan Magistrate Najmin Akter on Friday. He was arrested on Thursday in the capital’s Farmgate area.

Police said Askor, who is also acting president of the Awami League’s Kashimpur Thana unit in Gazipur and a metropolitan committee secretary, played a leading role in organising and financing recent flash processions of the disgraced party and its affiliates, despite restrictions on such activities.

The case stems from events on Sept 7, when the Awami League staged a flash procession in the Parliament area. Police allege that two crude bombs were detonated during the rally “to destabilise the state and create panic among the public”.

The complaint further notes that leaders and activists of the Awami League, Chhatra League, Jubo League and other affiliates carried banners as they marched in front of Park Town Restaurant in Manipuripara.

Around 1:35pm, police arrived on the scene, detaining several participants while others fled.

Investigating officer Sub-Inspector Md Shariful Islam told the court that the interrogation of Askor had yielded “sufficient evidence” of his involvement, including claims that he had financed such gatherings. The officer argued that Askor could abscond if released.

Police said they are still verifying information obtained from him.