Three Awami League Leaders Arrested in Cumilla Following Flash Rally

Police in Cumilla’s Debidwar Upazila have arrested three local leaders of the Bangladesh Awami League, including a former Union Parishad chairman, in connection with an anti-government flash rally organised under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The security operation was conducted on Sunday morning across several locations, including Padmakot, Laxmipur, and the Debidwar New Market area.

Details of the Detainees

The individuals taken into custody have been identified as prominent figures within the party’s upazila-level organizational structure:

• Md Abu Taher Sarkar (58): Son of the late Haji Idris Mia Sarkar, hailing from Burirpar village. He serves as the Vice-President of the Subil Union Awami League and is a former chairman of the Subil Union Parishad.

• Md Faridul Islam (36): Son of the late Shahjahan Mia from Padmakot village. He holds the position of Vice-President of the Gunaighar South Union Awami League.

• Md Shahin Sarkar (45): Son of the late Akhtar Hossain from Laxmipur village. He functions as the Vice-President of the Fatehabad Union Awami League.

Background to the Police Action

According to local law enforcement authorities, the arrests stem from an incident that occurred on Saturday morning along the Cumilla–Sylhet regional highway. At around 7:45 am, approximately 35 to 40 active members associated with the Awami League, along with its banned affiliate organisations including the Bangladesh Chhatra League and Jubo League, staged a sudden flash rally near the gas field in the C&B area under Rasulpur Union.

During the unsanctioned assembly, the participants carried out a mourning procession while shouting anti-government slogans. Following the event, video footage of the rally began circulating widely on social media platforms. Law enforcement personnel subsequently analysed the digital evidence to identify key individuals involved in organizing and leading the gathering, culminating in Sunday’s targeted raid.

Law Enforcement Response

The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Debidwar Police Station, Md Moniruzzaman, confirmed the developments, stating that the three arrested leaders have been charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act and subsequently produced before the court for legal proceedings. He added that police operations remain ongoing to identify and apprehend the remaining absconding suspects involved in the incident.