Area-based lists being prepared to stop preemptive Awami League processions

Flash processions on the capital's streets, cocktail explosions within minutes, and then quickly dispersing and vanishing have increased. And, all know that banned Awami League's leaders and activists are organising such pop up rally.

The size of the processions is also growing larger than before. As a result, the government and law enforcement agencies have taken a tougher stance.

According to police sources, there are instructions to take prompt action whenever leaders and activists of the Awami League are seen attempting processions, gatherings, or organizing in the capital. Not only those participating in processions, but also those funding them are being brought under surveillance. Intelligence agencies have already prepared a preliminary list of financiers. Based on information obtained from forensic analysis of the devices of arrested individuals, this list may grow even larger.

Officials of law enforcement agencies say surveillance has been increased on the public and covert organizational activities of the Awami League. Surveillance is also ongoing on social media. If news is received of leaders and activists gathering anywhere, raids are being conducted promptly. At the same time, work is underway to prepare area-based lists of leaders and activists of the party's affiliated organizations. It has been learned that these lists include information such as the name of a leader in a particular area, designation, home address, phone and WhatsApp number, number of family members, land holdings, and business establishment information. Intelligence agencies are also collecting information on who is playing a role in organizational activities while staying abroad.

AIG (Media and Public Relations) of the Police Headquarters, A H M Shahadat Hossain, told Agamir Somoy that based on intelligence information, field-level surveillance and security measures have been strengthened by identifying the risks of possible processions, gatherings, and sabotage.

He said that in any sabotage incident, including cocktail explosions, those involved are being identified by analyzing evidence from the scene, CCTV footage, and other information. However, emphasis is being placed on taking action based on specific information and evidence without harassing innocent people.

The big challenge of flash processions is the rapid departure of participants. Many leave the scene before or after the procession begins. As a result, even if no one can be found there, police are trying to identify those involved later by analyzing video footage, pictures, and other data.

Already, raids and arrests have begun in various areas of the capital. In some places, several people have been detained from the scene of a procession, while in others, many have been arrested later through raids. After a flash procession by the Awami League and its affiliated organizations in Gulshan, 179 people have been arrested so far through raids, according to Niaz Mehedi, Additional Deputy Commissioner of the Media and Public Relations Division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

Police surveillance is not limited only to procession sites. Patrols and searches have been increased on important roads, intersections, government installations, and politically sensitive areas of the capital. Members of various units, including plainclothes police, are deployed in the field. If any party or group suddenly gathers, they are being dispersed quickly according to the situation and legal action is being taken.
Even After Erecting Over 300 Checkposts and Regular Patrols, Police Are Moving Ahead with a New Strategy

Even after strengthening more than 300 checkposts and regular patrols, flash processions cannot be fully stopped, so police are moving ahead with a new strategy. This time, importance is being given to identifying financiers alongside those participating in processions.

Several officials of the Detective Branch (DB) have said that initially, lists of 10 to 12 financiers per division have been provided. Once the full list is prepared, this number may increase further.

Recently, incidents of cocktail explosions and bus burnings have occurred one after another in various areas of the capital. According to relevant sources, explosions have occurred at various places, including the gate of the Supreme Court, Shilpakala Academy, Jatrabari police station area, Malibagh, Agargaon, Mohakhali, New Market, Babubazar, Kamalapur, Magbazar, Matsya Bhaban intersection, and in front of the BTV building in Rampura.

Yesterday, Saturday as well, police checkposts and searches were seen in various places in the capital, including Newmarket, Mugda, Thai Embassy Gap, in front of the American Embassy, Kuratoli intersection on 300 Feet Road, Madani Avenue on 100 Feet Road, and under the Khilgaon Flyover.

Among these, yesterday, a procession under the banner of Mohammadpur Thana Awami League and a cocktail explosion took place in front of Bata showroom in Dhanmondi. Police arrested four people in this incident. On the same day, more than fifty people were detained during a raid on the central office of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-Jasad in Gulistan. Among the detainees was Abu Jafar Surya, former president of the Dhaka Journalists Union.

Outside Dhaka, news was also received that 12 Awami League leaders and activists were detained from a building in Barishal city. Local police say they were holding a secret meeting to plan sabotage. Earlier, Awami League leader Yasmin Sheikh was arrested during a raid in Dakope, Khulna. News of more arrests on sabotage charges has been received from various areas of the country, including the capital.

Meanwhile, intelligence agencies have also increased surveillance on the presence and movement of Awami League leaders and activists in Dhaka. Relevant officials claim that many leaders of the party are staying in Dhaka after leaving their villages. They have also received information that some have become involved in occupations such as ride-sharing or driving auto-rickshaws. The increase in the number of motorcycles from outside districts is also being examined. Intelligence officials are verifying which routes these motorcycles are moving on, who is using them, and whether they have any connection to processions.

In the context of these recent activities, the government's stance is also strict. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said that the Awami League's "fascist force" will no longer be allowed to do politics on Bangladeshi soil.

The Home Minister also spoke about Sheikh Hasina, who is staying in India, and Awami League leaders' Zoom meetings and rumors of returning to the country in December. He said the government wants Sheikh Hasina to return to the country and face trial. At the same time, he called on the countries concerned to return convicted fugitives staying abroad.

Yesterday, at a police medal distribution ceremony at Rajarbagh Police Lines in Dhaka, the Home Minister said he had received information that some members of the police force at the field level are still cooperating by providing various information to the fallen fascists. He also warned that a harsh fate awaits them.

The Home Minister said, "We will not back down from bringing charges in treason cases either. I hope you have received the message. I want to convey this message to everyone from the grassroots to the IGP. We will be forced to be strict for the needs of society and the state."