Nationwide crackdown launched ahead of Dec

Law enforcement agencies have launched a nationwide crackdown ahead of December, with police saying they are on high alert over possible unrest surrounding former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s announced return to Bangladesh.

Police Headquarters sources said around 53,000 people were arrested across the country over the past month, including nearly 10,000 during the first six days of October. A large portion of those arrested were reportedly leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organisations.

In Dhaka, around 500 people are reportedly being brought under the law every day. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested 465 people on Wednesday October 8).

The arrests are reportedly being carried out under a specific plan to prevent possible political unrest before December. Police have also prepared lists of people allegedly operating the banned Awami League’s activities from hiding and plan to arrest them before December.

Hasina announced in August and September that she planned to return to Bangladesh by December. Political analysts offered differing interpretations of the announcement, with some viewing it as an attempt to boost the morale of party supporters and others linking it to a possible political arrangement through international mediation.

A senior police official said lists had been prepared of people allegedly conducting party activities while in hiding and that plans were in place to arrest them before December. The cyber police unit is also closely monitoring social media to prevent rumours and provocative posts, the official said.

DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed said no attempt to create disorder or destabilise public life in Dhaka around December would be tolerated.