46 Awami League and Affiliate Leaders Arrested in Dhaka Crackdown on Flash Processions

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have arrested 46 leaders and activists of the banned Awami League (AL) and its affiliated organisations across the capital today for allegedly preparing for and participating in unlawful flash processions.

The arrests were confirmed by DMP Deputy Commissioner Talebur Rahman at a press briefing this afternoon.

Among those detained is Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) central Vice-President Rafiqul Islam Badhan, who was arrested with 12 other activists by the CTTC in the Bijoynagar area.

Other arrests were made by various police units: four were caught with banners near the 300 Feet Road (Khilkhet), 18 were detained from a procession near Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, and others were arrested during preparations in Uttara West, Badda, Banani, and Tejgaon.

The arrests occur within the context of the interim government's May 12 ban on all activities of the AL and its associate bodies, following allegations related to the July Uprising. The BCL itself was banned earlier in October 2024. DMP stated that legal action is underway against all detainees and the organizers of these unlawful processions.