Dhaka, Feb 4 (PTI) – Bangladesh police have detained two individuals for distributing leaflets in support of the Awami League party, led by deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The arrests occurred on Monday night, just hours after the interim government issued a warning, threatening legal action against those promoting the former ruling party’s campaign.
According to the Dhaka Tribune, the two activists were apprehended at an autorickshaw garage in the Sonakanda area of Bandar upazila, Narayanganj. They were distributing leaflets as part of a directive from the Awami League’s central leadership. The leaflets had been circulating for two days prior to the arrests.
Police officials stated that the individuals were being held for questioning, pending legal procedures. They cited the content of the leaflets, claiming it could potentially disturb public order and safety.
The arrests followed stern remarks from the interim government. Shafiq Alam, Press Secretary to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, condemned the leaflets’ distribution, calling the Awami League "fascist" and warning of immediate arrest for those caught supporting the party. Alam accused the fallen regime’s supporters of attempting to destabilize the country by spreading disinformation, particularly through online platforms and foreign media, including Indian newspapers.
"We have a strong message for anyone involved in this campaign: they will be arrested," Alam said, further claiming that the leaflets contained inflammatory content that could incite unrest.
The arrests also come in the wake of a violent incident in Lakshmipur, where a group of people attacked two detained Awami League activists who had been chanting "Joy Bangla" – the party’s slogan – at a local court. The two were also caught distributing Awami League leaflets. Alam attributed the tensions to a “propaganda war” led by the Awami League, accusing the former government of orchestrating disinformation campaigns.
The political unrest began after a student-led uprising in August 2024, which led to the downfall of the Awami League’s nearly 16-year-long rule. Following the protests, Yunus and his interim government council assumed power. Hasina fled to India, while many senior Awami League officials face accusations of human rights abuses, including enforced disappearances and the deaths of political opponents during the July protests.
The arrests and subsequent crackdown have drawn attention from various political factions, including Hasina’s rival, ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s BNP. Despite calls from the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement to ban the Awami League, several other political parties, including Zia's BNP, have opposed such measures.
As the political turmoil in Bangladesh continues, the government’s response to those distributing leaflets signals the ongoing tension between the former ruling party and the interim government.
According to the Dhaka Tribune, the two activists were apprehended at an autorickshaw garage in the Sonakanda area of Bandar upazila, Narayanganj. They were distributing leaflets as part of a directive from the Awami League’s central leadership. The leaflets had been circulating for two days prior to the arrests.
Police officials stated that the individuals were being held for questioning, pending legal procedures. They cited the content of the leaflets, claiming it could potentially disturb public order and safety.
The arrests followed stern remarks from the interim government. Shafiq Alam, Press Secretary to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, condemned the leaflets’ distribution, calling the Awami League "fascist" and warning of immediate arrest for those caught supporting the party. Alam accused the fallen regime’s supporters of attempting to destabilize the country by spreading disinformation, particularly through online platforms and foreign media, including Indian newspapers.
"We have a strong message for anyone involved in this campaign: they will be arrested," Alam said, further claiming that the leaflets contained inflammatory content that could incite unrest.
The arrests also come in the wake of a violent incident in Lakshmipur, where a group of people attacked two detained Awami League activists who had been chanting "Joy Bangla" – the party’s slogan – at a local court. The two were also caught distributing Awami League leaflets. Alam attributed the tensions to a “propaganda war” led by the Awami League, accusing the former government of orchestrating disinformation campaigns.
The political unrest began after a student-led uprising in August 2024, which led to the downfall of the Awami League’s nearly 16-year-long rule. Following the protests, Yunus and his interim government council assumed power. Hasina fled to India, while many senior Awami League officials face accusations of human rights abuses, including enforced disappearances and the deaths of political opponents during the July protests.
The arrests and subsequent crackdown have drawn attention from various political factions, including Hasina’s rival, ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s BNP. Despite calls from the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement to ban the Awami League, several other political parties, including Zia's BNP, have opposed such measures.
As the political turmoil in Bangladesh continues, the government’s response to those distributing leaflets signals the ongoing tension between the former ruling party and the interim government.
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