Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) yesterday arrested Shahadat-e Al Hiqma chief Sayed Kawsar Hussain Siddiki Raja, considering him a 'potential threat to national security ahead of the Saarc summit'.

The self-styled head of the banned Islamist outfit had been arrested four times in three years including the latest one. This time he was picked up from just outside the premises of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court (CMM) while he was returning home after attending a court.

Sources said the government high-ups had advised the RMP authorities to detain Kawsar after his release was reported in a number of local and national dailies.

"We thought he might pose a threat to national security ahead of the Saarc summit, " RMP Commissioner Nayeem Ahmed told The Daily Star yesterday.

"Why are you arresting me now when I am on bail and didn't do any crime?”a witness quoted Kawsar as asking the police team that went to make the arrest.

Accused in sedition, arms and swindling cases, he was shown arrested under Section 54. He was kept at Rajpara Police Station custody as of filing this report last night.

Kawsar came out on bail from Rajshahi Central Jail on November 2.

CMM Afzal Hossain granted Kawsar an ad interim bail on a security bond of Tk 50,000 and on condition that he would attend the court once in a week. The CMM cited in the bail order that on humanitarian grounds he (Kawsar) was granted bail before Eid-ul-Fitr.

He was arrested for the first time on April 23, 2002 for causing panic among the people. He was out on bail on July 30, 2002. He was held again on September 24, 2002 for 'running an underground party'. Kawsar was implicated in a swindling case but freed on bail on December 21, 2002.