Army to be deployed in Dhaka, 5 other areas over fears of unrest by banned AL

The government has ordered the deployment of army personnel across four cities, including Dhaka and two districts, citing potential sabotage and unlawful activities by leaders and activists of the banned Awami League, centring its founding anniversary tomorrow (23 June).

The troops will remain deployed until 30 June, according to an official letter issued by the home ministry today (22 June). The deployment covers Dhaka, Chattogram, Gazipur, and Narayanganj metropolitan areas, alongside Gopalganj and Faridpur districts.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the army has been deployed under "Aid to Civil Power" based on intelligence to prevent possible untoward activities by the Awami League.

Salahuddin said army personnel have been given magistracy powers until 30 June so that any kind of untoward situation can be dealt with, reports BSS. He said the government takes assistance from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) or the army whenever necessary.

Mentioning that the army was withdrawn on 15 June after they had carried out duties in the field for nearly one and a half years, he said the army was withdrawn from the field as quickly as possible after the elected government assumed office.

Meanwhile, the BGB has been deployed in five districts, including Cox's Bazar, Madaripur, Sherpur, Gazipur and Moulvibazar.

In a press release, the BGB said the deployment was made under instructions from the home ministry and will perform duties in coordination with district administrations and law enforcement agencies from Monday evening until 30 June.

It also added that BGB members will remain on standby for immediate deployment in other districts if required.

The latest deployments follow a nationwide alert issued by the Police Headquarters over potential clashes ahead of the Awami League's founding anniversary today.

In a notification signed by DIG Kamrul Ahasan last week, the Police Headquarters instructed unit heads across the country to remain highly vigilant.

The notification warned that Awami League activists might attempt to hoist party flags at local offices and hold processions, which could trigger violent confrontations with rivals. The directive cautioned that activists could turn hostile towards law enforcement if intercepted.

The interim government prohibited all activities of the Awami League and its affiliates through a gazette in May 2025. The ban covers processions, rallies, meetings, conferences, publications, media campaigns and social media activities.

However, party activists have continued to hold sporadic flash processions across the country despite the ban. Ahead of the party's anniversary, activists again brought out several flash processions. Police said crude bombs were detonated during some of the marches.

10 AL activists arrested

Police today arrested 10 leaders and activists of the Awami League while they were preparing for a flash procession on Sat Masjid Road in Dhaka's Dhanmondi area.

Dhanmondi Police conducted a drive around 6am and detained them in the act. During the operation, two buses and a private car used for transportation were seized.

ADC Niaz Mehedi of the DMP's Media and Public Relations Division said the arrests were made during a pre-planned operation based on confidential information.

Mehedi said police recovered 15 caps bearing the Jubo League monogram, eight T-shirts featuring images of party leaders, and a banner reading "Sheikh Hasina will return, Bangladesh will smile". He added that the detainees have been shown arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act and sent to court.