32 held over attempts to stage processions for activities banned AL

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested 32 individuals on Friday in Dhanmondi and Sher e Bangla Nagar on allegations that they were preparing to stage sudden processions in support of the activities banned Awami League.

According to police, the detentions were carried out in separate operations conducted early in the morning and after Jumuah prayers.

In Sher e Bangla Nagar, officers responded to reports that a group had gathered near the Agargaon metro rail station, close to the Flower Market, around 5:45 am. The group was allegedly planning to bring out a procession linked to the organisation. 

Police said a team reached the scene promptly and detained six people while others fled.

The six arrested were identified as Shyamal Chandra, 27, president of the Open University Dhaka metropolitan south unit of Chhatra League, along with Aiyatul Haque, 29, Siam, 22, Mehedi Hasan Miad Khan, 21, Tareq Rahman, 22, and Selim Pradhan Srabon, 20.

In a separate operation in Dhanmondi, police detained 26 more individuals from the vicinity of Dhanmondi-32. 

Law enforcement officials said intelligence information indicated that activists associated with the party were planning a surprise procession following Friday prayers.

Police stated that legal proceedings are being initiated against all 32 detainees as well as others believed to have been involved in organising the attempted gatherings. 

Additional details were not immediately available.