Sylhet Bureau 

Police arrested seven juveniles and sent them to jail through court proceedings in Shalla upazila of Sunamganj on charges of chanting political slogans late at night.

The arrests were made after the youths allegedly processed through the streets chanting "Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu" in the early hours of Saturday.  A case under the Anti-Terrorism Act was subsequently filed against them at Shalla Police Station.

The detained juveniles were identified as Barshan Talukder (17), Soumitra Das (16), Ovi Das (15), Rupam Das (15), Dweepta Das (16), Emon Das (15), and Anik Das (17). Several among them are students at local secondary schools and colleges.

According to police sources, the group had gathered for dinner at Ghungiargaon Sadar Market under Shalla upazila on Friday night, September 25, 2026. Following their meal, the teenagers marched toward the vegetable market and Station Road area while chanting political slogans. Law enforcement personnel promptly responded, detaining several individuals at the scene and taking the remaining suspects into custody from their respective residences in overnight drives.

Family members of the detained youths expressed deep concern over the law enforcement action, claiming that the teenagers hold no political affiliations. Badal Das, father of Ovi Das, stated that his son is completely uninvolved in political activities, while Rupam Das's mother, Hepi Das, noted that the boys acted out of emotion following a social gathering among friends. Local residents also voiced apprehension, suggesting the situation could have been evaluated with consideration given to the age of the individuals.

Addressing the law enforcement action, OC  of Shalla Police Station Md. Suhel stated that chanting political slogans late at night poses a risk to public order and local security, justifying the filing of charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act.