Police file cases against 249, arrest 39 over Awami League flash processions in Khulna
Another two cases are being lodged at Aranghata and Khalishpur Police Stations and at least 39 will be arrested in the cases filed in three police stations
Police have filed three cases against a total of 249 people in connection with a series of flash processions organised by the Awami League in Khulna city yesterday (20 April), reportedly following instructions from party chief Sheikh Hasina.
A total of 39 people were arrested in the cases lodged with Harintana, Aranghata, and Khalishpur police stations under Khulna Metropolitan Police this morning (21 April).
Harinata Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Khairul Bashar confirmed that 73 individuals were named, while 30 to 40 others were accused without names in the case filed with the station.
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Police have already arrested 22 people in connection with the incident, and the process of presenting them before the court is underway.
In the case filed with the Aranghata station, a total of 19 named and 30-40 unnamed people have been sued. In addition, 27 named and 40-50 unnamed people have been sued in the case filed with Khalishpur station. All three cases have been filed under the 1974 Special Power Act.
Confirming the case, KMP Additional Deputy Police Commissioner Md Ahsan Habib said, "As part of a conspiracy to overthrow the government, the Awami League is creating an unstable environment in the country and engaging in subversive activities. As part of this, leaders and activists of the Awami League, Jubo League and the banned organisation Chhatra League held a flash procession with banners at the Zero Point intersection in Khulna city on Sunday morning, at Boyra Mohila College Road in the afternoon, and at Shahider intersection adjacent to the bypass road in the afternoon."
According to police sources, the first procession began around 7:30am yesterday (20 April) at the Zero Point area of Khulna.
Later in the afternoon, the Daulatpur and Khalishpur units of the Metropolitan Awami League organised another demonstration around 3pm. A separate procession was attempted at the Satrasta intersection around 5pm.
Over a hundred Awami League leaders and activists reportedly took part in these events.
In addition, ten lawyers visited the office of the deputy commissioner in the afternoon to submit a memorandum calling for the withdrawal of cases filed in the International Crimes Tribunal against Sheikh Hasina.
Awami League leaders claimed that the demonstrations were held following instructions delivered via a telegram message from Sheikh Hasina during a virtual meeting on 5 April.
They stated that Sheikh Hasina had called on supporters to "keep their spirits high" and to hold processions as a show of unity. Instructions also came from the central leadership, according to local organisers.
During the events, participants shouted party slogans such as "Sheikh Hasina's Bangladesh, we have not left the streets," "Our leader Sheikh Mujib," and "We are all Mujib Sena."
They also voiced criticisms of the Chief Adviser to the interim government, Mohammad Yunus.
Police conducted drives in different areas of the city yesterday and arrested 25 individuals, 22 of whom have now been shown arrested under the case filed at Harintana Police Station.
Efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining accused, police said.
