Video of Armed Teenagers Chanting Slogans in Cumilla Goes Viral on Social Media, 4 detained

Sadik Mamun, Cumilla

Police in Cumilla have arrested four members of a group known as “SBS.” A video spread on social media showing a group of young people chanting slogans with local weapons. Officer in Charge Mr. Rakibul Islam of Sadar South Model Police Station confirmed the arrests on Sunday (1 November). He said police began a drive after the video came to their notice, to identify the members of this group known as a teen gang.

Police arrested the four around 1 am on Saturday night (31 October) in the Unaisar area of Cumilla Sadar South Upazila. They were produced in court on Sunday (1 November). According to police and related sources, the viral video shows about 22 young people holding local weapons and chanting slogans. In the video, they introduce themselves as members of the “SBS” group.

They are also accused of spreading fear in the area by posting videos under the name of their own group. Several teams started work to identify those involved after the video reached police. With the help of technology and other sources, police identified some members and raided the Unaisar area. They arrested four people from there.

The arrested are Yasin Ahmed Akash (17), son of Mr. Lokman Hossain of Gobindapur village in Habiganj Sadar Upazila, and Mr. Shaon (19), son of Mr. Delwar Hossain of Egaro village in Barura Upazila, Cumilla. The others are Mr. Habib (17), son of Mr. Kala Mia of Machhimpur village in Shibpur Upazila, Narsingdi, and Mr. Habib (17), son of Mr. Monir Hossain of Farbain Mosjidbari area in Lalmai Upazila, Cumilla. All of them lived in rented houses in the Unaisar area of Sadar South.

Mr. Rakibul Islam, Officer in Charge (OC) of Sadar South Model Police Station, said the video came to their notice on social media. He said several teams then started work, identified those involved and arrested four people. He said they have been produced in court. He said early information shows they formed the group themselves and named it SBS.

The OC added that showing weapons on social media and chanting slogans in the name of a group raises the risk of crime among young people and fear among the public. He said police are continuing efforts to identify and arrest the other members of the group.