SHARIATPUR, Bangladesh — Police in Bangladesh’s Shariatpur district have arrested six people following a procession allegedly organised by activists of the Bangladesh Awami League-affiliated Youth League, while authorities are investigating a separate march involving Student League members held the following morning.
The Youth League procession took place on Saturday afternoon, September 5, in a village in Tulasar Union of Shariatpur Sadar upazila, according to police and local reports.
Several videos of the procession were circulated on social media. The march was reportedly led by Iqbal Hossain, also known as Ratan, joint general secretary of the Shariatpur district Youth League and a former general secretary of Shariatpur Government College.
Police said they launched an operation after receiving information about the procession and detained six people allegedly involved in it.
The six — Faruk Matbar, Omar Faruk, Rakibul Sardar, Asif Sardar, Billal Sardar and Sujon Dewan — were subsequently arrested in a case under Bangladesh’s Anti-Terrorism Act, according to Palong Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shah Alam.
The men were later sent to jail through a court, police said.
The arrests followed a period of increased restrictions and scrutiny of political activities involving organisations linked to the Awami League. Authorities have prohibited activities of the Youth League, according to police.
Separate Student League rally
A separate procession was held on Sunday morning, September 6, in the Kotapara area of the Dhaka-Shariatpur highway, involving members and supporters of the Bangladesh Chhatra League, the Awami League’s student wing.
Participants reportedly carried Bangladesh’s national flag alongside the organisation’s flag. The procession was led by Mohsin Madbar, convener of the Shariatpur district Chhatra League, while joint convener Rasheduzzaman led slogans from the front.
Police said they were investigating the Sunday procession and reviewing video footage to identify those who participated.
“We are collecting the videos and identifying the participants. Legal action will be taken after their identities and involvement are established,” Shah Alam said.
Police did not immediately provide further details about the allegations against the six people arrested in connection with Saturday’s procession.
The developments underscore the heightened political tensions in Bangladesh, where authorities have been closely monitoring activities involving the Awami League and its affiliated organisations.
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