In Bangladesh, at least 34 leaders and activists of the Awami League have been arrested in Dhaka over the past 24 hours as police intensified their crackdown ahead of the party’s announced ‘Dhaka Lockdown’ programme scheduled for November 13.
According to officials from the Detective Branch, the arrests were made during overnight operations in various parts of the capital as part of an ongoing drive against groups accused of attempting to disrupt public order.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed all law enforcement agencies to remain on the highest alert and immediately arrest anyone attempting to participate in the banned Awami League’s announced lockdown programme. The directives were issued last night during a meeting of the Law and Order Core Committee at the Secretariat.
Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury told reporters yesterday that army personnel would remain deployed in the field and that there were no plans for their withdrawal at this stage.
Meanwhile, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam reiterated that any attempt by the banned political parties to hold protests would be met with the full force of the law.
The developments coincide with the International Crimes Tribunal-1 preparing to fix the date for delivering its verdict in the crimes against humanity case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two of her top aides on November 13-the same day as the announced lockdown.
