32 arrested over Gulshan AL march

Police have arrested 32 people over an Awami League march in Dhaka’s Gulshan, a day after several hundred leaders and activists of the banned party took to the streets.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police said on Saturday that those arrested had “directly participated” in Friday’s procession. Their identities were not immediately disclosed.

Two others had been arrested at the scene on Friday, bringing the total number of arrests to 34.

Gulshan Police Station chief Daud Hossain said a case had been filed against those arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Several hundred Awami League leaders and activists marched in Gulshan-1 on Friday afternoon, chanting “Joy Bangla” slogans, before police dispersed them.

Police say marchers set off two crude bombs as officers moved in. Police then fired two rounds of rubber bullets to break up the procession.

Videos circulating on social media showed several hundred people chanting “Joy Bangla” as police moved to disperse the crowd.

Five unexploded crude bombs were also recovered at the scene, according to police.

Daud said that efforts were continuing to arrest others accused of taking part in the march. �"bdnews24