Police in Pabna have detained 15 people, including Abdul Wahab, president of the Awami League’s Sujanagar upazila unit and a former upazila chairman, over allegations of planning acts of sabotage and preparing to stage a procession in the town.
The District Detective Branch (DB) detained the group at around 6.30am on Wednesday (30 September) near Indira Mor on Abdul Hamid Road in Pabna city. According to police, the individuals had arrived in a microbus and were preparing to organise a procession.
The identities of the other 14 detainees were not immediately available.
Abdus Salam, officer-in-charge of the Pabna district DB, confirmed the operation. He said police had received confidential information suggesting that the group was planning acts of sabotage in the city.
Acting on the information, a DB team carried out an operation in the Indira Mor area and detained the group, he said. The detainees were subsequently sent to Pabna Sadar Police Station for legal action.
The latest detention marks the third time Abdul Wahab has been detained since 5 August, according to the report. His previous encounters with law enforcement include an incident in February 2025 in which he was taken into custody and subsequently freed by a group of local activists.
On 2 February 2025, police detained Wahab in the Mathurapur area of Sujanagar. However, when officers were placing him in a police van, local Awami League activists allegedly forcibly took him away. Eight police officers were injured during the incident, according to the report.
Police arrested Wahab again on 5 February, three days after he was taken from their custody.
After securing bail, Wahab and his supporters reportedly attempted to resume Awami League activities in the Sujanagar area.
Police conducted another overnight operation in Mathurapur on 23 April this year, detaining 21 people, including Wahab, in connection with their alleged political activities. Those detained included members of the Awami League, Chhatra League and Jubo League.
The detainees were released on bail several weeks after the April operation.
The latest arrests come amid continued police action against Awami League leaders and activists in the area. Authorities have alleged that the group detained on Wednesday was preparing for a procession linked to plans for disruption. However, the specific allegations against each individual have not been disclosed.
The detainees have been sent to the relevant police station for further legal proceedings. Their cases will be handled in accordance with the applicable law.
