Five Awami League and Affiliate Leaders Arrested in Lakshmipur

Five leaders and activists affiliated with the Awami League and its associated organisations have been arrested in a special police operation in Ramganj upazila of Lakshmipur.

The arrests were made in the early hours of Saturday, 15 August, as police conducted raids in several parts of the upazila. The detainees were later taken to court under police escort in the afternoon as part of the legal process.

Those arrested have been identified as Morshedul Amin Babu, 35, former president of the Ramganj Government College unit of the Bangladesh Chhatra League; Rashedul Hasan, 42, a former councillor of Ward 3 of Ramganj Municipality and a member of the upazila unit of the Jubo League; Chhatra League activists Md Parvez Hossain, 24, and Md Murad, 24; and Faisal Hossain, 31, an activist of the ward unit of the Sramik League.

According to police sources, the operation followed information that activists associated with the Awami League and its affiliated organisations were attempting to organise processions in different areas of Ramganj on the occasion of 15 August. Acting on that information, police carried out raids at a number of locations and arrested the five individuals.

Ramganj police station officer-in-charge Md Firoz Uddin Chowdhury said the five were arrested in connection with cases filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act and on allegations related to sabotage. Following the completion of the necessary legal procedures, they were produced before the court and sent to jail through judicial process.

The arrests come against a wider backdrop of heightened political sensitivity surrounding public gatherings and political activities. Authorities have repeatedly stressed the need to maintain public order and prevent incidents that could lead to violence or disruption. Police operations in politically sensitive areas are therefore being closely watched, particularly when rallies, processions or other organised activities are reported.

The police officer said law-enforcement agencies would continue operations aimed at maintaining a normal law-and-order situation in the area. He added that action would be taken in accordance with the law when information about activities considered a threat to public security is received.

The latest arrests are expected to draw attention locally as authorities continue to monitor political activities in Ramganj and neighbouring areas. The five detainees will now face the judicial process in connection with the cases brought against them.