Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
Crude bombs exploded during a flash procession by activists of the banned Awami League (AL) in Dhaka’s Shyamoli on Tuesday morning, forcing police to detain six men.
Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station OC Emaul Haque said around 8am, 70–80 AL supporters marched from Shishu Mela intersection towards the National Institute of Ophthalmology. “When police intervened, they set off bombs and dispersed in a hurry. Six were later held after a chase,” he said.
Some protestors fled on motorcycles shouting “Joy Bangla.” Police recovered a motorbike and a mobile phone from the detainees. “Legal action will follow after investigation,” OC Emaul added.
The Awami League, along with its affiliate organisations, was banned in May by the interim government following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster in last year’s uprising. Since then, AL cadres have staged short-lived “flash processions”— a tactic once used by the opposition BNP during Hasina’s rule.
Meanwhile, detectives arrested 12 more AL leaders and activists in separate drives across Dhaka on Monday. Police said they face multiple cases for allegedly trying to “destabilise the country by disrupting law and order and spreading panic.”
Those arrested include Advocate Kaiser Ahmed, 57, former Jubo League central leader and ex-mayor of Gafargaon municipality; Yunus Ali alias Ilias, 52, a Barguna leader; Gazipur Jubo League leader Shamim Osman, 37; Dhaka South AL leaders Mahmud Dewan Shipu, 36, and Jamil Hossain, 35; Soleman, 44, Krishak League vice-president; Ikramul Hasan Rubel, 34, ex-Swechchasebak League leader; Kazi Alid Islam, 54, Jubo League leader from Tangail; Khairul Islam alias Jewel Khan, 47, of Sramik League; Sajib Khan, 33, Chhatra League ward leader; Aslam Khan, 49, a ward leader from Darussalam; and Hiru Mia, 56, president of Kaliakoir upazila Jubo League.