Eleven activists associated with Chhatra League and the Awami League have been detained in Naogaon on allegations that they were preparing to hold a flash rally.
The individuals were detained at around 7pm on Saturday (26 September) from the Bolihar Bridge area along the Naogaon-Rajshahi highway, according to police sources.
Police said the 11 were taken into custody while allegedly preparing for the rally. Their names and identities were not immediately available. Initial information indicated that they are residents of different areas in Atrai, Raninagar, Sapahar and Niamatpur upazilas of Naogaon district.
The detention reportedly followed the arrival of local political activists in the Bolihar Bridge area after information emerged that supporters of Chhatra League and the Awami League had gathered there and might attempt to create an unstable situation.
Naogaon district Chhatra Dal member secretary Tajul Islam Taj said Chhatra Dal activists went to the area after receiving information that Chhatra League and Awami League activists were gathering with an intention to create unrest. He said 11 people were subsequently detained with the assistance of BNP and its affiliated organisations from the Bolihar and Bhimpur union areas.
The detainees were later taken into the custody of the Detective Branch (DB) of police, he said.
Tajul Islam Taj also said members of the district Chhatra Dal were working to maintain a peaceful environment across Naogaon. He added that they would resist any attempt to create instability in the district.
The account provided by the local political leadership, however, was not independently confirmed by the Naogaon Sadar police station. When contacted, Officer-in-Charge Asaduzzaman said he was not aware of the matter at that time.
Naogaon District Detective Branch Officer-in-Charge Hasibullah Habib confirmed that 11 people had been detained from the Bolihar Bridge area.
He said the DB took the individuals to its office after receiving information about preparations for a rally. They will be questioned to establish the circumstances surrounding their presence at the location and the purpose of the alleged gathering.
According to Habib, investigators will also examine whether there was any plan to carry out sabotage or create an unstable situation. Further legal action will be taken after the authorities complete their assessment, he said.
Police have not yet disclosed the identities of those detained or specified whether any case has been filed against them. The next steps will depend on the outcome of the questioning and the investigation into the allegations.
The incident comes amid heightened political sensitivity surrounding public gatherings and street demonstrations in Bangladesh. In such cases, police typically assess whether a gathering poses a risk of disorder or involves any unlawful activity before deciding on further legal measures. In this instance, authorities have yet to provide details establishing that the detainees were involved in any act of violence or sabotage.
