Staff Correspondent 

In a dramatic turn of events following his arrest during a “Devil Hunt” operation in Dharmapasha, Sunamganj, an Awami League leader named Dula Mia was allegedly released by Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Enamul Haque.On Tuesday at around 8:00 PM, police from Dharmapasha Police Station arrested Dula Mia from behind Hanif’s tea shop at Badshaganj Bazar in Paikurati Union. Later, at around
2:00 AM, Additional Superintendent of Police (Dharmapasha Circle) Ali Farid Ahmed arrived at the station to secure his release.Ali Farid Ahmed, who took up his current post on 15 March 2022, has been accused of influencing various elections including staged party elections, upazila polls, and union elections. Allegedly, in an attempt to maintain a fascist hold, he personally intervened at the station to ensure Dula Mia’s release. His continued oversight of two border stations known for smuggling has reportedly led to worsening law and order and emboldened criminal networks.Recently, after a man was killed in a clash between two groups over extortion in Mahishkhala, Ali Farid reportedly assisted in burying the body without an autopsy through a written agreement and allegedly assaulted a man who wanted to file a case.The revelation of Dula Mia’s release after arrest has sparked questions about police conduct. Locals suspect that a large bribe was paid to secure his release. In a Facebook post dated early 2022, Dula Mia had posted a poster identifying himself as the former president of the Selborosh Union Jubo League and general secretary of Ward 6 Awami League. Based on this poster, he was targeted in the “Devil Hunt” operation.To secure his release, his elder brother, former president of Selborosh Union BNP, Taher Uddin Sona Mia, reportedly rushed to the station and negotiated his release in exchange for a large sum of money.Dula Mia later claimed, “My son-in-law posted that poster. My name was proposed for positions in the Awami League and Jubo League, but those committees were never approved and hold no value.”

Several senior BNP leaders from the upazila, on condition of anonymity, stated that Dula Mia was known in the area as a cadre of former MP Moazzem Hossain Ratan and was involved in various crimes and public harassment during the current authoritarian regime. They expressed disappointment over the police's role in releasing him after arrest.Dharmapasha OC Md. Enamul Haque stated, “Dula Mia is not listed in any official party committee. He was released to his elder brother’s custody with a written agreement as he was unwell.”Assistant Police Superintendent of Dharmapasha Circle, Ali Farid Ahmed, said, “An opponent claimed that Dula Mia was a senior leader of the Awami League and Jubo League. Upon my personal verification at the station, I found that he was not in any committee and he suffers from heart disease, which is why he was released.