Police in Mohammadpur upazila of Magura arrested Uzzal Akter Kafur, a former union parishad chairman and an accused in the murder case of student leaders Ahad and Suman killed during the July uprising, during a raid on Wednesday evening.
According to police and local sources, Kafur was holding a secret meeting with at least 15 leaders and activists of the banned Awami League, Jubo League and Swechchhasebak League in a room at Dhoyail Bazar when police raided at about 5pm.
Eyewitnesses said a group of 20-25 people led by Arifuzzaman Milon, convener of the upazila Swechchhasebak Dal, attacked police and snatched Kafur from the police vehicle.
The group also included Swechchhasek Dal joint convener Farhan Reza Lenin, Chhatra Dal leader Abu Amman Yusuf and union BNP leader Moshiur Rahman, according to eyewitnesses.
Milon could not be reached for comment.
Mohammadpur police station officer-in-chief M Shamim Ahmed confirmed the incident and said legal action is being taken against those involved in obstructing government work and snatching the accused.
Police sources said the same group had previously been accused of snatching a youth named Akash from a police vehicle by setting fire on the road and of attacking a hospital emergency doctor.
Local residents speculated the motive was to gain support from Awami League leaders ahead of the upcoming union parishad elections.