Police have detained 16 activists of the Awami League and Chhatra League while they were allegedly preparing to stage a flash procession on the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway in Daudkandi, Cumilla.
The arrests were made at around 7.30am on Thursday (12 November) in the Bhekinagar area of the highway. Police also seized a Hiace microbus allegedly used by the group.
The detainees have been identified as Sumon, 34; Md Shahin Hasan Shuvo, 26; Saidur Rahman, 45; Badal Mia, 41; Imran, 26; Yasin, 18; Maruf, 20; another Yasin, 20; Md Mahabub Sarkar, 22; Mohibullah, 19; Imon, 19; Md Hasan, 21; Md Sarmin Shah, 32; Shamim, 22; Choton, 21; and Mamunur Rahman, 50.
According to police, all 16 are residents of Homna Upazila in Cumilla and are associated with different local units of the Awami League and Chhatra League.
Police sources said several teams have been conducting regular patrols along the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway to prevent sabotage and maintain law and order. During one such patrol on Thursday morning, officers spotted the group in the Bhekinagar area and subsequently detained them along with a Hiace microbus.
Initial information gathered by police suggests that the activists had assembled in two microbuses and were preparing to hold a flash procession in the Putia area. However, when the police moved in, the occupants of the second microbus managed to flee. Officers were unable to detain anyone from that vehicle.
Daudkandi Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Sajedul Islam confirmed the arrests, saying that the 16 activists were detained while allegedly preparing to organise the procession.
He said the police were carrying out patrol operations as part of efforts to prevent sabotage and maintain security along the busy highway. Legal proceedings were being initiated against those detained, and they were scheduled to be produced before a court on Thursday afternoon after a case was filed on charges related to sabotage.
The Dhaka–Chattogram Highway is one of Bangladesh’s most important transport routes, connecting the capital with the country’s major commercial centres and the south-eastern region. It carries substantial passenger and freight traffic every day, making security along the route particularly significant.
Police patrols and surveillance are regularly maintained in areas along the highway to prevent disruptions, ensure public safety and keep traffic moving. The latest arrests in Daudkandi came during one of these operations, although further details about the alleged planned procession and the individuals who escaped in the second vehicle were not immediately available.
