Chattogram Kotwali police today released five persons, who were detained in connection with vandalising the Pahela Baishakh celebration stage, tearing apart banners, festoons in the port city's DC Hill area last night.

Police said as no formal complaint was lodged against the individuals, they were released early today after filing of a General Diary (GD).

The detainees, all of them held from the spot, were identified as: Md Alamgir, 42; Md Nizam Uddin, 42; Md Rafiqul Islam, 53; Md Shah Alam, 65; and Md Faruk, 42.

Multiple police sources confirmed that the detainees identified themselves as BNP supporters. It was also reported that several BNP leaders and activists had gathered at the police station at night to secure their release.

Meanwhile, protesting the attack on the celebration venue at DC hill, Gonotrantik Jote's Chattogram district unit formed a human chain this morning in the port city's CRB Intersection demanding immediate arrest of the culprits.

Asked about their release, Md Abdul Karim, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station, said, "Since no complaints were filed against them throughout the night, we released them based on the GD "

Asked under whose custody the individuals were released, he replied, "I'd need to check the GD for that to make any comment."

Police sources said in such cases of detentions based on suspicion, the detainees are usually forwarded to the court under Section 88 of CMP ordinance. However, this procedure was not followed in this case.

Asked why Section 88 was not followed, the OC told this reporter to ask senior officials in this regard.

Despite multiple attempts, CMP deputy commissioner (South Division) Md Alamgir Hossain could not be reached over phone. Later, CMP additional police commissioner (Crime and Operations) Md Humayun Kabir said, "Please speak with the ADC of Public Relations in this regard."

According to police and district administration sources, tension prevailed over the past two days as BNP-backed cultural group JASAS (Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha) and like-minded organisations had been objecting to the Bangla New Year celebration at DC Hill organised by the Sammilito Pahela Baishakh Udjapan Parishad.

A meeting between the JASAS representatives and the DC office reportedly took place on yesterday afternoon, but no resolution was reached.

"A group of 30 to 40 persons brought out a procession and started vandalising the stage while chanting slogans in presence of police. In protest, we decided to boycott all our programmes on Pahela Baishakh," said Sucharit Das Khokon, coordinator of the Parishad.

"We believe this incident occurred with the backing of the Chattogram District Administration. On Sunday afternoon, the DC office gave us a list of 23 organisations -- such as Bodhon, Udichi, Proma, and others -- who were instructed not to perform on stage. Shortly afterward, the vandalism took place. This is a failure of the administration," he alleged.

While visiting DC Hill this morning, no event was seen taking place. Some people roamed around the area before leaving shortly. Police presence, however, was visible on the area.