Staff Correspondent: Police have arrested former banned Chhatra League leader Nazmul Hasan Riyad, who was accused of assaulting journalist Jisad Iqbal during the Dhaka City Corporation election on February 1, 2020, in the Nikunja area of the capital.

According to police sources, Riyad was arrested at around 11:00 PM on Monday from Road No. 12 in Nikunja-2 in connection with a case filed with Khilkhet Police Station under Case No. 23(10)25.

During the same operation, his close associate Nabin Hossain Akash was also arrested in a separate case. Akash previously served as the Science and Technology Affairs Secretary of Dhaka North Chhatra League.

Local sources said Riyad is the son of Abul Hossain Matabbar of the Tanpara area in Khilkhet. He formerly served as a vice-president of Dhaka North Chhatra League and was also known as a personal assistant to former State Minister for Housing and Public Works Sharif Ahmed. Due to his political connections, he allegedly maintained significant influence in Nikunja, Tanpara, and nearby Khilkhet areas for several years.

Residents alleged that during the previous Awami League administration, an organized network involving extortion, land grabbing, intimidation, and abuse of political power operated in the Nikunja area, with Riyad and his associates playing a central role. A political office located on Road No. 15 in Nikunja was reportedly linked to various allegations of irregularities and harassment.

The news of Riyad’s arrest has reportedly created a sense of relief among residents of Nikunja and surrounding areas. According to local residents, some people even distributed sweets in celebration following the arrest.
Officer-in-Charge Sohrab Al Hossain of Khilkhet Police Station said that separate cases had been filed against Riyad and his associate. He stated that both had remained absconding for a long period before police arrested them in a raid conducted in the Nikunja area based on confidential information.

On February 1, 2020, journalist Jisad Iqbal was allegedly attacked while carrying out his professional duties during the Dhaka City Corporation election. Allegations at the time claimed that Riyad, along with then Khilkhet Thana Chhatra League president Shakil Ahmed, Rabbi, and several others, participated in the assault. The journalist sustained serious injuries in the attack.

The incident triggered widespread criticism across the country. Several journalist organizations and human rights groups condemned the attack and demanded exemplary punishment for those responsible. International journalist organizations based in France and the United States also reportedly issued statements criticizing the incident.
The victim later alleged that when he attempted to file a case against the accused, police initially refused to accept the complaint. Following pressure from journalist leaders, a General Diary (GD) was eventually recorded. After several years, Riyad’s arrest is now being viewed by many observers as a major development in the case.

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Sources further said that Nazmul Hasan Riyad and several of his associates are facing multiple additional cases in different police stations in Dhaka over allegations of violence, extortion, and criminal activities committed after August 5. Law enforcement agencies are continuing investigations into those allegations.