Summary:
- Two individuals were arrested in Dhaka for selling and hoarding free government-distributed school textbooks.
- The Detective Branch of DMP seized two truckloads of textbooks during the operation in Banglabazar on January 22, 2025.
- The books were part of a national program to provide free educational materials to students, aiming to reduce inequality.
- Authorities suspect a larger network behind the illegal trade and are continuing investigations to hold all culprits accountable.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested two individuals on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, for illegally selling and hoarding textbooks meant for free distribution to primary and secondary school students. The operation, led by the Detective Branch (DB) of the DMP, resulted in the seizure of two truckloads of textbooks from a warehouse in Sutrapur’s Banglabazar area.
The suspects, identified as Sirajul Islam Uzzal (55) and Delwar Hossain (56), were apprehended during a raid targeting a network involved in the unauthorized sale of government-distributed educational materials. These books are part of a national initiative to provide free textbooks to students at the beginning of each academic year.
According to Muhammad Talebur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner of the DMP’s Media and Public Relations Division, the arrests followed intelligence reports about the illicit trade. He stated that further details would be disclosed during a press conference scheduled for Thursday, January 23, at the DMP Media Center on Minto Road. Joint Commissioner Mohammad Nasirul Islam of DB-South is expected to address the media.
This incident comes just days after authorities confiscated 5,000 textbooks during a similar raid in Banglabazar on Saturday, January 18. Officials believe these operations are part of a larger scheme exploiting government resources intended to support education.
The seized books were earmarked for free distribution under Bangladesh’s National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) program. This initiative aims to reduce educational inequality by ensuring all students have access to learning materials regardless of their socioeconomic status.
Authorities have vowed to intensify efforts to dismantle such networks and hold those responsible accountable. The arrests highlight ongoing challenges in safeguarding public resources and ensuring they reach their intended beneficiaries. Further investigations are underway to identify other individuals involved in this illegal operation.
Source: Jamuna Tv
