Amtali (Barguna) Correspondent 

Former Upazila BNP convener Jalal Uddin Fakir has been accused of torturing four students by holding them captive for raising the slogan 'Joy Bangla' at a college freshman program in Amtoli, Barguna.

 On Friday , BNP leaders and activists held the students captive at the Upazila BNP party office, their family members and witnesses have alleged. Later, they were handed over to Amtoli police station around 9 pm. The incident has spread panic among the college students and their guardians. It is also reported that many students have left the area out of fear.

According to local sources, a fresher's and joyous celebration was held for class 11 students at Mahishkata Yunus Ali Khan Degree College in Amtoli Upazila on Thursday (October 8) at around 10 am. Former Upazila BNP convener Jalal Uddin Fakir was the chief guest at the event. Former Upazila BNP member secretary Tuhin Mridha, Barguna Second Judge's Court Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Advocate Jasim Uddin and Amtoli Senior Judicial Magistrate's Court APP Md. Mahbubul Alam and other guests were special guests.

After the chief guest's speech, some freshmen students chanted 'Joy Bangla' slogans at the event. The video of the incident went viral on social media within a short time. It is alleged that Jalal Uddin Fakir got angry over this.

Family members of the students and eyewitnesses alleged that the college branch Chhatra League General Secretary Md. Saiful Kazi and freshman student Shuja were taken away from the college on Friday afternoon due to the incident. The names of BNP leaders Advocate Jasim Uddin, Advocate Mahbubul Alam, Jalal Uddin Fakir's son Fahad Fakir and Chhatra Dal-Yubdal leaders and activists have emerged in connection with their removal.

About three hours later, some witnesses, who did not wish to be named, alleged that two more students, Md. Asif and Md. Tamim, were taken away from in front of the Chunakhali Mosque after Friday prayers.

Family members claim that the four students were taken to the upazila BNP party office and detained. Asif's family has alleged that they were tortured there in the presence of Jalal Uddin Fakir. Later, they were handed over to the police station at around 9 pm that day.

After the news of the students being taken away spread, panic spread among the college students and their parents. Some eyewitnesses, who did not want to be named, said that BNP leaders and activists took away the students from in front of the college and mosque. They claimed that the police were also present at the time. However, they alleged that the police did not take any action.

Md. Mahbub Kazi, father of Saiful Kazi, general secretary of the college branch of Chhatra League, said, "My son was taken away from Bahishkata by some BNP leaders and activists. I came to know that he was in the BNP party office. Later I heard that they will be handed over to the police station."

However, former Upazila BNP convener Jalal Uddin Fakir denied the allegations of torture of the students. He said, "The party leaders and activists brought them and questioned them about whether they were involved in the incident or not and who instigated them to commit such an incident. A case has been filed against them and handed over to the police station."

Amtali Police Station OC  Md. Yakub Hossain said, "Four people have been arrested and brought to the police station. A case has been registered against them under the special law. They will be handed over to the Amtali Senior Judicial Magistrate Court on Saturday."

Concerns have been raised in the area over allegations of abduction, detention and torture of students in the incident. However, the true facts will be determined through an investigation by law enforcement agencies and court proceedings into the allegations.