Awami League Mounts Comeback Bid Through Five Leaders

Awami League, whose activities remain banned, is attempting to return to the political arena by relying on five leaders currently out on bail. Intelligence indicates that these leaders are already showing signs of renewed organizational activity in Dhaka and other parts of the country under their leadership.

A confidential report from Police Headquarters has revealed the information. The report also recommends increased surveillance on party activists crossing the border to prevent any acceleration of the group’s attempt to reorganize.

The classified report further states that efforts were made to mobilize activists across the country ahead of Sheikh Hasina’s prison release anniversary. It notes that several senior leaders on bail are attempting to intensify political activities and reactivate organizational networks, including through party members returning to the country after going into hiding abroad.

The report provides a detailed assessment of political activity, organizational preparations, and security risks surrounding June 7, marking the ‘Six-Point Day,’ and June 11, the ‘Prison Release Day’ of Sheikh Hasina. It also warns that speeches, directives, and propaganda from Awami League leaders may be widely circulated through social media, online platforms, and other digital communication channels, which could help reactivate party supporters.

Crossing Borders and Returning to the Country

According to observations in the intelligence report and multiple sources, some fugitive leaders based abroad are allegedly attempting to return through border routes to reorganize the party.

Following heightened operations against Bangladeshis and continued reports of push-ins after the BJP came to power in West Bengal, many fugitive activists are reportedly returning to the country.

Instead of staying in their home areas, they are operating from neighboring regions and attempting to engage in organizational activities. New committees are also being formed to run party operations in various areas.

Efforts are underway to rebuild organizational structures at ward, union, municipality, thana, upazila, and district levels. The report recommends increased surveillance in border areas in response to these developments.

Surveillance Tightened on Five Leaders’ Activities

The recommendation section of the confidential Police Headquarters report calls for close monitoring of the political activities of several senior leaders currently out on bail.

The list includes Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Abdul Latif Siddique, retired Major General Salahuddin Miahji, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, and Selina Hayat Ivy. The report says their political activities must be regularly monitored and intelligence collected continuously.

It cites recent gatherings at funeral prayers for late Awami League leaders Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, FM Rahmatullah, and Tofail Ahmed, noting that such events created opportunities for renewed contact among party activists.

Separately, under a section titled “Impunity,” the report says Sheikh Hasina has been encouraging party activists through phased communication on online platforms to reactivate political engagement. It recommends strengthening cyber patrols and intelligence monitoring of alleged misinformation spread by Awami League activists online, as well as ensuring rapid removal of false content through the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

The report also states that many Awami League and allied organization members are maintaining organizational contact in areas including Gulistan, Jatrabari, Shahbagh, Dhaka University area, Dhanmondi, Mirpur, Mohammadpur, and Uttara in the capital. Similar activities have been reported in several other parts of the country.

Between January 3 and May 15 this year, at least 678 Awami League and affiliated organizational activities were identified on social media. In addition, activities such as flash processions, protests, leaflet distribution, poster campaigns, and human chains were reported across various locations on May 17, marking Sheikh Hasina’s return anniversary.

The report recommends collecting information on such organizational attempts, including rallies, processions, poster campaigns, leaflet distribution, and online propaganda, and taking necessary legal action.

Intelligence officials say upcoming surveillance will focus closely on the activities of the banned organization, returning fugitive leaders crossing the border, and political activities of senior leaders out on bail. Field-level monitoring and intelligence gathering will be intensified to maintain law and order.

Army Deployed in Six Districts

The government has decided to deploy the army in three metropolitan areas and three districts ahead of the founding anniversary of the banned Awami League.

A notification issued on Monday by the Ministry of Public Administration confirmed the decision. The deployment will remain in effect from Monday until June 30. The areas include Dhaka, Chattogram, and Gazipur metropolitan cities, as well as Narayanganj, Gopalganj, and Faridpur districts.

Additional Inspector General of Police (Crime and Operations) Khandaker Rafiqul Islam told Agamir Somoy that law enforcement agencies are fully prepared in the interest of public safety. He said all police units have received special instructions and will operate in coordination with APBN and RAB. Assistance from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has also been sought. Security forces will carry out duties in both uniform and plainclothes.

What the Home Minister Said

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said authorities have detected some subversive activities linked to the banned Awami League. He said the group has attempted rallies and meetings in several districts, and such activities in a few areas suggest possible efforts to create instability. In response, he said all security forces have been instructed to remain alert, as is standard practice.

Responding to questions on whether police are failing to maintain law and order, the home minister said armed forces were withdrawn from across the country on June 15 after remaining deployed for nearly a year and a half since the interim government period. He said they were withdrawn as soon as possible after the formation of the elected government. However, he added that current deployments in certain areas are unrelated to that situation and fall under “Aid to Civil Power.”