Banned Hizb ut-Tahrir marches at Paltan, police charge baton, fire teargas, sound grenades to disperse
Security forces detain dozens of activists
Police used batons, teargas shells, and sound grenades to disperse members of the banned organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir as they attempted to hold a pre-scheduled procession named "March for Khilafat" in Dhaka today (7 March).
Hundreds of people under the banner of Hizb ut-Tahrir, which was officially banned in Bangladesh on 22 October 2009 due to concerns that its activities posed a threat to public security, defied police barricades and brought out the procession from the North Gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque after Jummah prayers
They intended to march towards Paltan.
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At around 2pm, police initially tried to stop the demonstrators with whistles, verbal warnings, and physical blockades but failed to contain the crowd. Army personnel later joined security forces as efforts to disperse the protest intensified.
The procession moved through Purana Paltan, took a U-turn from the Bijoynagar water tank area, and attempted to regroup at Purana Paltan.
As the demonstrators gathered again, police responded with teargas and sound grenades, scattering the crowd. The protesters split into small groups, seeking refuge in nearby alleys.
Ramna Division Deputy Commissioner of Police Md Masud Alam stated that Hizb ut-Tahrir members twice attempted to reorganise and continue the procession. "They managed to hold a procession for around 15 minutes before intervention."
By 3:30pm, the situation was under control, and the crowd had dispersed, he said, adding that security forces, including police, RAB, and army personnel, remain deployed in the area.
Security forces reportedly detained around 30 people during the incident. However, the exact number could not be ascertained. A police constable and two journalists were injured during the crackdown.
Security measures were reinforced in the Baitul Mukarram area early in the day ahead of the planned march. Police, RAB, and Detective Branch personnel conducted searches in and around the mosque to prevent any potential unrest.
The Police Headquarters issued a statement stressing that Hizb ut-Tahrir is a banned organisation in Bangladesh. Authorities warned that any gatherings, processions, or distribution of materials linked to the group would be met with legal action.
Under the Anti-Terrorism Act 2009, all activities by banned organisations, including meetings, rallies, and promotional material distribution, are considered criminal offences, said the statement.
The police warning followed reports of posters promoting the "March for Khilafat" appearing on walls across Dhaka in recent days.
Meanwhile, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit arrested three Hizb ut-Tahrir members from the capital's Uttara area early Friday for holding a meeting to organise the "March for Khilafat".
A Dhaka court later remanded the three in a case lodged under the anti-terrorism act. The accused, Monirul Islam, has been granted a two-day remand, while Mohatasin Billah and Mahmoodul Hasan have been granted one-day remand, according to court sources.
Water supplier released after adviser's intervention
During the police crackdown, a man was "mistakenly detained" but later freed following the intervention of Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan.
Asif, an adviser for the Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives, was seen escorting the man from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Detective Branch office on Minto Road at around 4:40pm.
In a Facebook post, Asif identified the man as Arman, a former rickshaw puller who now works as a water supplier. "When he [Arman] went to help the police, he was attacked and injured. Later, army personnel detained him and handed him over to the DB," Asif wrote in the post.
