Dhaka– Dhaka police arrested 11 more members of the Awami League (AL) and its student wing, the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), in separate raids Thursday, as political tensions continue to escalate under the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government. The latest arrests bring the total number of detained AL-affiliated activists to over 55.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) claimed those arrested were involved in creating public unrest and conspiring to destabilize the country by organizing and participating in unauthorized demonstrations across the capital.
In a statement, the DMP confirmed that legal proceedings are underway against the detainees, all of whom are accused of holding illegal processions as part of a broader wave of anti-government protests.
The arrests follow last week’s flash procession by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League in Khulna city, defying government orders aimed at curbing such demonstrations. According to reports, the rally—organized by the Bangladesh Awami League Khulna District Unit—was the first public protest in the area since the Awami League government was ousted in August last year.
Footage from the Khulna rally, published by the leading Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo, showed demonstrators holding banners with portraits of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the nation’s founding father, and his daughter, Sheikh Hasina. Protesters chanted slogans including, “Sheikh Hasina, we are not afraid, we have not left the streets,” and “Sheikh Hasina will return like a hero.”
Since that rally, Awami League supporters have made several attempts to organize flash processions in various parts of Dhaka.
On Thursday, the party’s official social media page shared a video of a protest by the Chhatra League demanding the withdrawal of what they called a false case against former Prime Minister Hasina.
Another video, posted recently on the same page, showed more than 100 people marching with torches through the streets of Jayanagar in Shariatpur district. Many of the demonstrators wore face masks and raised slogans praising Hasina and her late father.
“Various programs are being held across the country, particularly to demand the return of Sheikh Hasina,” a local Awami League leader said. “As part of this effort, leaders, activists, and supporters in Shariatpur held a torch procession. From now on, the party will regularly carry out such programs.”
The wave of arrests and protests comes amid rising political uncertainty in Bangladesh, as the interim government continues to face pressure from Awami League supporters calling for Hasina’s return to power. (Source: IANS)
