Awami League's plans for founding anniversary events foiled: DMP commissioner

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has foiled
plans by the banned Awami League to hold processions, rallies and gatherings in
the capital on its founding anniversary, DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed
said.
Speaking at a briefing today (23 June) on
security arrangements for the upcoming Holy Ashura and the Tazia procession at
Hussaini Dalan Imambara in Old Dhaka, the commissioner said police had
intensified security measures across the city based on intelligence reports.
Responding to a question about the Awami
League's founding anniversary, he said law enforcement agencies had received
information that members and supporters of the activities-banned party might
attempt to organise processions, rallies or gatherings at different locations
in Dhaka.
"We had intelligence reports that a banned
party might bring out processions, hold rallies, or gather in various places of
Dhaka city today on the occasion of its founding anniversary," he said.
The commissioner said DMP had strengthened
checkpoints across the city over the past three days, particularly at entry
points to Dhaka.
Police also increased the number of pickets,
mobile patrols and foot patrols, while plainclothes surveillance was
intensified.
He said police searched locations considered
vulnerable to such activities, including messes, hotels and other
establishments, and arrested several leaders and activists during the drives.
"By arresting a few, it seemed to us that
they wanted to put the government in an embarrassing situation and deteriorate
law and order through today's processions, rallies or gatherings. DMP members
have foiled their plan so far, and I hope that within the remaining time, they
will not be able to bring out a procession, hold a rally or gather
anywhere," he said.
Replying to another question, the commissioner
referred to recent cocktail explosions linked to an Awami League procession and
said police had taken extensive measures in response.
"We have taken all-out measures regarding
the cocktail explosions from the Awami League's procession. A case has been
filed over the incident, and we have arrested several individuals from that
procession and in the period afterwards," he said.
He added that the incident had raised concerns
about possible acts of sabotage.
"One thing has become apparent to us from
the cocktail explosions – they might have a plan for some form of sabotage. We
did not get an opportunity to confirm this. However, since they exploded
cocktails in the procession, we are fairly certain that they might carry out
sabotage if given an opportunity," he said.
The DMP commissioner said police surveillance
would continue to prevent anyone from entering Dhaka to carry out sabotage or
organise processions, rallies or gatherings.
















