Dhaka police have arrested 31 people in connection with preparations for the Awami League’s “lockdown program” in the capital, scheduled for November 13, which authorities have banned.
Among those arrested is Rabbi Sardar, 25, assistant publicity secretary of the Sheikh Russell National Children and Youth Council’s Narayanganj Sadar unit. Police reportedly recovered a locally made revolver in working condition from him.
The arrests were confirmed on Friday by Dhaka District Superintendent of Police (SP) Anisuzzaman. The operation, which continued until 1 a.m. on Thursday, covered areas under Savar, Ashulia, Dhamrai, Keraniganj Model, South Keraniganj, Nawabganj, and Dohar police stations.
Rabbi Sardar was apprehended at Dokanbari Mor in Uttar Pangaon, South Keraniganj, during a checkpoint search. Police said he had actively participated in front-line processions across Dhaka Metropolitan Police areas over the past few months and had led poster campaigns in support of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Investigations reportedly revealed that data from his mobile phone showed communication with “fascist elements” both in Bangladesh and abroad. Authorities claim Sardar had links with members of the Chhatra League and Jubo League in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, and other districts, allegedly to plan subversive activities and create instability. He is currently under intensive interrogation, and police said further operations will follow based on his statements.
The 31 arrested include active members and local leaders of the Chhatra League, Jubo League, Sramik League, Swechchhasebak League, Krishak League, and Awami League at union and ward levels. Arrests were reported as follows: four in Savar, three in Ashulia, one in Dhamrai, six in Keraniganj Model, eight in South Keraniganj, seven in Nawabganj, and two in Dohar.
Notable arrestees include: Tanjirul Rahman, vice-president of Savar Upazila Chhatra League; Ruhul Amin, general secretary of Ward 3 Jubo League, Birulia Union; Obaidul Bhuiyan, information secretary of Dhamsona Union Jubo League; Parvez Kabir alias Shakib, assistant secretary (health affairs) of Dhaka District North Chhatra League; Abu Taher Montu, joint convener of Keraniganj Model Thana Sramik League; Salam, general secretary of Ward 3 Awami League, Kalindi Union; Salman, president of Ward 1 Swechchhasebak League, Ruhitpur; Aminul Islam Jewel, former president of Shubhaddha Union Jubo League; Shafayet Hossain Shipu, general secretary of Churain Union Swechchhasebak League, Nawabganj; Asif Chakladar, joint general secretary of Kailail Union Awami League; Ramzan Ali, president of Dhaka District Tanti League; Azad Hossain Khan, joint general secretary of Dohar Thana Awami League
SP Anisuzzaman said all those arrested were actively participating in processions or preparing to do so. He warned that any attempt at subversive activities would be firmly dealt with, and operations to detain other network members would continue.
In separate raids in Savar and Ashulia, Dhaka District North Detective Branch (DB) police arrested three more Awami League members—Siddiqur Rahman, Amjad Polan, and Jasim Mia—confirmed Jalal Uddin, officer-in-charge of Dhaka District North DB Police.
