Dhaka police have cast a wide net, arresting 21 people overnight, but the focus is on a political crackdown that swept up five individuals linked to outlawed Awami League activities.
The high-profile arrest is that of Md. Faruk Hossain, the former acting mayor of Nalchity Municipality, who was picked up from the Sabujbagh area this morning. Four others were arrested the day before in Bhatara.
The Charge:
The police allege that these individuals repeatedly organized processions in Dhaka under the banner of a faction of the Awami League whose activities have been declared prohibited. They were specifically identified as marching under the banner of the ‘Sheikh Hasina Sangram Parishad.’ The arrests signal a clear move by authorities to enforce restrictions on certain political assemblies in the capital.
In a separate, large-scale operation, the Mohammadpur police also conducted a sweep, arresting 16 individuals involved in narcotics and other various crimes.
The arrests confirm that Dhaka police are simultaneously tackling both high-profile political offenses and pervasive street crime, with legal proceedings now underway for all 21 individuals.
