Police detained a man at Dhaka's Dhanmondi Road No.32 on Saturday morning as security was tightened ahead of the death anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The detainee was identified by police as Arnab Das (37) described as an active Jubo League member.
Dhanmondi Police officer-in-charge Imdadul Islam Tayyab said Arnab was detained "for security reasons" after he came to lay flowers at the site. "We are here to maintain security" Tayyab said, adding there was no report of any untoward incident.
Arnab reportedly a school teacher and a resident of Delduar in Tangail denied any political involvement. He told reporters he came as an ordinary citizen to pay respects to Bangabandhu one of the key organisers of the country's independence. He was later taken to Dhanmondi police station.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police had announced heightened security around Dhanmondi 32 on Thursday. Barricades blocked access from Mirpur Road, iron barriers were placed at the western end, and movement through the nearby bridge was restricted. A water cannon was deployed, with RAB personnel and plainclothes officers patrolling the area. Traffic around the site was suspended.
Awami League and its associate bodies including Jubo League and Chhatra League had announced month-long mourning programmes marking the anniversary with doa mahfils and food distribution since the party's ouster from power in August 2024.
