DHAKA, June 21 — Police in Bangladesh have stepped up operations against leaders and activists linked to the Awami League and its affiliated organizations ahead of the party’s 77th founding anniversary on June 23.
In Barisal, Metropolitan Police arrested 77 people during a 24-hour operation from Friday morning to Saturday morning, including 19 leaders, activists and supporters of the Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League, according to police and local reports.
The operation involved all four metropolitan police stations and the Detective Branch. Those detained included Barisal Metropolitan Awami League Organizing Secretary Nur Uddin Shahin, Treasurer Touhidul Islam and former ward councilor Zainal Abedin.
Kotwali Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Al Mamun Ul Islam said the special drive was carried out to maintain law and order, control crime and arrest wanted accused persons.
“The special operation of police is continuing to keep the city’s law and order situation normal, control crime and arrest accused persons with warrants,” he said Saturday.
He said similar operations would continue to ensure public safety and urged residents to provide information about criminal activity.
The arrests came after Police Headquarters instructed law enforcement units across the country to remain alert ahead of the Awami League’s founding anniversary. A June 18 directive warned that possible anniversary programs by Awami League activists, including hoisting party flags and holding processions, could trigger clashes with rival groups, including the National Citizen Party and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police has also confirmed heightened security preparations. Speaking to reporters at the DMP Media Centre on Minto Road on Friday, DMP Additional Commissioner for Crime and Operations S. N. Md. Nazrul Islam said police were maintaining a vigilant position ahead of June 23.
“June 23 marks the founding anniversary of a political party. We are maintaining a vigilant position surrounding the occasion,” he said.
He added that security checkpoints would remain in place at key locations.
The Awami League was founded on June 23, 1949, and later led the Bengali nationalist movement that culminated in Bangladesh’s independence in 1971. The party’s activities are now banned following the political changeover after August 5, 2024.
In May 2025, the interim government banned all activities of the Awami League and its affiliated bodies. The Election Commission suspended the party’s registration hours later.
The scope of the ban has drawn concern from rights groups. Amnesty International, in a public statement on May 23, 2025, questioned the legality and proportionality of the move, saying it “brings into question the commitment of this government to uphold the rights to freedom of association and expression.”
The organization said the blanket ban and suspension of registration did not meet strict international human rights standards.
Police have carried out similar actions in several districts in recent months against Awami League-linked activity, including brief processions, anniversary preparations and alleged attempts to organize under banned party banners.
In Dhaka, Chattogram, Netrokona, Barisal and other areas, local reports have described arrests of leaders and activists accused of trying to stage sudden processions or organize political programs. On June 13, six local Awami League and affiliated activists were sent to jail in Netrokona after a sudden procession allegedly organized by banned Chhatra League activists.
A June 2026 report by the Congressional Research Service on Bangladesh noted concerns about rule of law and transparency after the political transition. It also cited Human Rights Watch’s assessment that the interim government had used arbitrary detention to target perceived political opponents and had yet to deliver systemic reforms to protect human rights.
Police officials say the operations are intended to prevent violence and maintain public order. Rights groups have urged authorities to ensure that any action against political activists is based on specific evidence of criminal conduct and complies with due process.
The June 23 anniversary is expected to remain a focus of law enforcement activity nationwide, with police saying security measures will continue in major cities and other sensitive areas.
