Law enforcers suspected "Dhaka Lockdown protest planned by the now-disbanded Awami League for November 13, 2025 might be they are trying to foil the upcoming 13th Parliamentary Election, using the withdrawal of 60000 troops as bridgehead or chance to stage comeback.
But despite the ban, Awami League leaders and activists were routinely staging flash street marches appearing on major thoroughfares, disappearing before any police crackdown on them.
DMP said at least 3,000 Awami League activists and leaders of its grassroots units were arrested until last month, while drives were underway every day to arrest them raiding their hideouts.
Awami League presidium member Jahangir Kabir Nanok, currently in India, has announced a "lockdown-like" protest programme for November 13, but police did not confirm whether current deployments were linked to his announcement. The Awami League was banned from all political activities in May 2025 until trials related to crimes against humanity are completed.
Bangladesh police has carried out a large-scale coordinated security drill at key points of the capital ahead of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's now disbanded Awami League's "Dhaka Lockdown" programme on November 13.
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DMP has held 'mega drill' of 7000 law enforcement agency members in 142 locations
Several newspapers quoting unidentified sources in the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said some 7,000 policemen took part in a drill on Saturday at 142 locations, including interim government chief Muhammad Yunus' residence, to contain possible violence. Witnesses reported increased police presence across Dhaka, which enhanced concerns among residents of the capital about the law and order situation on November 13.
Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) is set to announce a date for delivering judgment against deposed Prime Minister Hasina after her trial in absentia on charges of alleged crimes against humanity.
The DMP, however, called the deployment part of their "regular security exercise" as a huge number of policemen in riot gear, including steel helmets and body armour, were seen at key intersections across the capital, stopping pedestrians for bag check.
Our regular operational activities include quick-response drills to ensure readiness for any kind of emergency, DMP spokesman Muhammad Talebur Rahman told reporters. He, however, added that officers of various ranks took part in Saturday's exercise.
A DMP official preferring anonymity said the "mega drill" was meant not only to test coordination and readiness of police but also to serve as a deterrent to any potential acts of violence or unrest in the capital ahead of November 13.
The police drill came three days after the army, which has been on policing duty for the past 15 months, withdrew half of its some 60,000 troops, saying they needed rest and training but promised to extend its full support for the planned February election.
A student-led protest ousted Hasina's regime on August 5, 2024, after which she took refuge in India while most leaders of her party and the government were subsequently arrested or are on the run at home and abroad.
Bangladesh's political landscape turned murky with the exclusion of Awami League from carrying out political activities and amid growing feuds among other major parties like ex-premier Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Jamaat-e-Islami.
A high official of intelligence agency told The Daily Observer that Dhaka Lockdown protest planned by the now-disbanded Awami League for November 13, 2025 might be they are trying to the foiling upcoming of the upcoming 13th Parliamentary Election.
Meanwhile, law enforcers are fully prepared and promised to extend its full support for the planned February election, sources added.
Bangladesh police recently conducted a large-scale security drill across Dhaka in preparation for a Dhaka Lockdown protest planned by the now-disbanded Awami League for November 13, 2025.
The drill, involving some 7,000 officers at 142 locations, was reportedly intended to deter potential unrest. Police in riot gear were deployed at key intersections, conducting vehicle and bag checks, and questioning pedestrians.
While the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) described it as a regular security exercise to ensure readiness for emergencies, anonymous official sources indicated it was specifically meant to contain potential violence ahead of the planned November 13 demonstration.
This police action comes amid a sensitive political climate in Bangladesh, following the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024 and the establishment of an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, which has promised elections in February 2026.
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) is expected to announce a date for delivering a judgment against Hasina soon.
