Banned Chhatra League's March Raises Police Concern

The banned Chhatra League (the former ruling party's student wing) has suddenly become active in trying to show its strength on the streets of Chattogram. Surprise marches are increasing in number, and the size of the rallies is gradually growing. Police have become concerned over such activities. Alongside Chhatra League, special operations are ongoing across the city to arrest activists and leaders of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organizations.

According to Aminur Rashid, Assistant Commissioner (Public Relations) of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP), 70 people have been arrested in connection with marches by the banned organization as of Tuesday afternoon. Two cases have been filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

CMP Commissioner Hasan Mohammad Shoukat Ali said that field-level police have been given special instructions to remain "constantly alert." He stated: "No further concessions will be given to the banned organization. They are trying to create an unstable situation. Police at the field level have been put on alert. From now on, they will remain vigilant at all times to ensure the banned organization cannot carry out any activities."

On Monday morning, a march was brought out under the banner of "Omargani MES College Chhatra League / Student Parliament" in front of Sanmar Ocean City Shopping Complex in the Panchlaish area of the city. Approximately 100–150 people participated. A march of this size by Chhatra League has not been seen in Chattogram in the last 22 months.

The march's banner featured pictures of former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, as well as Arshadul Alam Bachchu, a current Awami League leader who previously served as general secretary of that college's student parliament. Later, Nowfel posted a video of the march on his Facebook timeline.

After the video of the march spread on Facebook, several BNP leaders in Chattogram became vocal. Ahmed Ul Alam Chowdhury Russell, a member of the city BNP's convening committee, posted on Facebook demanding the swift removal of the Officer-in-Charges (OCs) of Panchlaish and Khulshi police stations.
In one of several Facebook posts, Sahed Akbar, former vice-president of the city unit of Juba Dal (BNP's youth wing), wrote: "The OC of any police station where fascists hold a march must be withdrawn. Any BNP leader who lobbies the police station on behalf of the fascists must also be arrested."

According to a CMP official, following the backlash on Facebook, the police commissioner ordered the launch of a swift special operation. "Operations have been ongoing across 16 police stations since nightfall. It has been decided that from now on, if the banned organization holds a march, cases will be filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Until now, they used to march in groups of six or seven. CMP did not take that very seriously. Now that cases are being filed, they will be afraid."*

Deputy Commissioner (North) of CMP, Amirul Haque, said two cases have been filed against leaders and activists of the banned organization. "The march took place in the Panchlaish police station area, so one case has been filed there. Another case has been filed in Khulshi regarding a previous incident. Both are under the Anti-Terrorism Act. In connection with the march in Panchlaish, 13 people have been arrested in Khulshi and 9 in Panchlaish. The operation is ongoing."

The Awami League government fell on August 5, 2024, following a mass uprising. The interim government banned Chhatra League on October 23. On May 12, 2025, political activities of the Awami League and all its affiliated organizations were temporarily banned. After the BNP came to power, these interim government orders were given legal validity.

However, despite the ban, Chhatra League has carried out over 50 surprise marches in Chattogram city since the beginning of 2025 — a period of 17 months. Initially, the number of participants in the marches was very small. But since the parliamentary elections in February, the number of participants in the marches has visibly increased. Last month, two marches were held at CRB and DC Hill in the city, where approximately 100 activists were present. Then came the larger march at MES College.