Three coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement, who were detained following an alleged attempt to enter the residence of Haqqani Publishers Chairman Golam Mostafa late Monday night, have been released under the custody of senior leader Abdul Hannan Masud.

The three were released around 3:00 PM on Tuesday after nearly 13 hours in custody, Dhanmondi Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) Kayshenu confirmed.

“They were released upon signing a bond and under the supervision of Abdul Hannan Masud and their family members,” said OC Kayshenu, adding that the release came after consultation with senior police officials.

The released individuals are: Saiful Islam Rabbi, Convener of the Mohammadpur unit of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Farhan Sarkar Dinar, Joint Member Secretary of the Dhaka Metropolitan unit, Mohammad Jisan Ullah, leader of the Mohammadpur Central College unit and a traffic assistant.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Masud Alam of Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Ramna Division told, “The three were released after submitting written undertakings. If they are found engaging in similar actions again, strict legal measures will be taken.”

According to police, the incident occurred around 11:00 PM on Monday when a group of plainclothes individuals gathered outside Golam Mostafa’s residence in Dhanmondi. The group reportedly chanted slogans such as “No shelter for collaborators of Awami League” and attempted to forcefully enter the fourth-floor apartment, pushing past the building`s guard.

Following a call to the national emergency number 999, Dhanmondi police arrived at the scene. The student leaders present demanded the arrest of Golam Mostafa without a specific complaint. Mostafa, however, claimed to be unwell and refused to open the door. With no warrant or case filed against him, police declined to make an arrest, which led to an argument between the student leaders and police.

Police reported that the leaders became unruly and behaved aggressively, prompting their detention and transportation to the station for questioning.

In response to the incident, Golam Mostafa told reporters, “I am not affiliated with the Awami League, nor do I have any case filed against me to my knowledge. As a publisher, I have published books from various political ideologies, including the Awami League, BNP, Jatiya Party, and Jamaat-e-Islami.”

“This is my business. Just because I have published Awami League books does not give anyone the right to label me as their ally, storm my residence at midnight, assault my building guard, or attempt to create mob unrest,” Mostafa added.