Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has arrested nearly 3,000 leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and its various affiliate organizations in the last 10 months of this year. The arrested people had participated in various protest marches.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Media and Public Relations Department Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman gave this information at a press conference at the DMP Media Center on Minto Road in the capital on Friday (October 31) afternoon. The press conference was organized to mark the arrest of 46 people from the Jhatika procession of Awami League and its associate organizations from different parts of the capital on Friday.

At the press conference, Talebur Rahman said that Dhaka Metropolitan Police has arrested about 3,000 leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organizations from various parts of Dhaka this year. All of these arrested leaders and activists participated in the Jhatika procession. After being detained from the Jhatika procession, they were arrested after verification.

Citing information about the arrest of 46 people from seven places in the capital on Friday, Talebur Rahman said that out of these, 18 people were arrested from Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police station area, 13 from Bijoynagar, 4 from Khilkhet, 2 from Sector 9 of Uttara, 3 from Badda, 3 from Banani and 3 from Tejgaon. Legal action is being taken against them.

In response to a question, Talebur Rahman said, “These leaders and activists are coming from outside Dhaka and participating in the Jhatika procession in exchange for money. Many are financially supporting this procession. Work is underway to bring those who are financially supporting them under the law.”

Police officer Talebur Rahman believes that these processions are being held to create panic among the people and to show their position in the capital at any cost. He said, ‘Political activity will increase on the occasion of the upcoming national elections. However, there is nothing to panic about. We are continuing our election preparations keeping these issues in mind. We are vigilant. We have the capacity to prevent any mischief.’

The leaders and activists arrested on Friday are Barikul Islam Badhan (32), vice-president of the central committee of the banned Chhatra League, Satkhira district Chhatra League general secretary Sumon Hossain (33), Kushtia Islamic University Chhatra League organizing secretary Mejbaul Islam (25), Bogra district Chhatra League organizing secretary Bazlur Rahman Badhan (30), Noakhali Municipality Jubo League joint convener Nur Alam Siddique (41), Barguna Sadar Upazila Chhatra League vice-president Mohiuddin Ahmed Dolan (23), Trishal Upazila Chhatra League general secretary Mominul Hasan Sohan (29), Sylhet district Chhatra League member Ashraf Al Kabir Chowdhury (27), Fenchuganj Upazila Chhatra League member Deb Yuthi De Nab (23), Chhatra League members Rakibul Hasan (34), Yasin Arafat Shuvo (20), Tasrip Hossain (21), Khaled Bin Kawsar (28), Saiful Islam Saif (31), Mithun Debnath (34), Monir Hossain Farhad (21) and Mithu Debnath (30).

Awami League workers Anisuzzaman Rony (31), Munna Mia (26), Zakir Hossain Khan (22), Md. Kamruzzaman (25), Mostafizur Rahman Johnny (37), Sheikh Rasheduzzaman (35), Zahidul Islam Sunu (40), Md. Rabiul Awal (25), Alamgir Hossain Johnny (30), Biswajit Saha (30), Mahafuzur Rahman (30), A. Shukur (35), Abidur Rahman (20), Md. Sabbir (19), Emon Hossain (19) Fatinur Shimul (19), Ariful Islam (19), Srikant Karmakar (20), Ziyad Mahmud (21), Md. Ziyad (20), Md. Aslam (21), Rifat Islam (19), Millat Babu (18), Swapan Mia (22). Jubo League activists Mohammad Mamun Sheikh Parash (32), Shafiul Alam (35), Mohammad Quddus Sardar (32), Swechchhasebak League activists Mamun Sheikh (40), Mohammad Raju (30).