Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed has said that a political party, whose activities have been banned (Awami League), had planned to organize processions, rallies and gatherings marking its founding anniversary in an attempt to embarrass the government and create a deterioration in the law and order situation. However, law enforcement agencies have foiled those plans.
DMP arrested 118 people including 26 AL members during drives conducted in the city on Tuesday during AL's 77th founding anniversary.
DMP chief made the remarks on Tuesday while responding to a question during a press conference organized by the DMP on the occasion of the upcoming Ashura observance and Tazia mourning procession at the Hossaini Dalan Imambara in Old Dhaka.
The DMP chief said police had received intelligence reports indicating that supporters of the banned organization might attempt to hold rallies or gatherings at various locations across the capital. In response, security measures had been intensified over the past three days, particularly in areas on the outskirts of Dhaka. Checkpoints were strengthened, while the number of pickets, mobile patrols, foot patrols and plainclothes officers was increased.
Considering the possibility that activists and supporters of the banned party could assemble at different locations, police conducted searches at suspicious sites, including messes, hotels and other establishments, and arrested several leaders and activists, he said.
"We believed they intended to create an embarrassing situation for the government and disrupt law and order through rallies and gatherings. DMP members have so far thwarted those efforts, and we hope they will not be able to organize any such activities during the remaining period," the commissioner added.
Responding to another question regarding cocktail explosions during an Awami League procession, Mosleh Uddin Ahmed said police had taken all necessary measures. A case has been filed and several individuals were arrested both during and after the procession.
