Bangladesh has experienced one of its most dramatic political changes in modern times, driven by a youth-led protest movement. The once unshakable Sheikh Hasina, who ruled the country for more than 15 years, was finally ousted after a few weeks of nationwide protests that revealed the public’s deep-seated discontent with the government and its policies, particularly corruption, job quotas, and authoritarianism. What started as a student protest quickly expanded into a mass uprising that dramatically changed the political dynamics of the country and ended Hasina’s long rule.
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s party, the Awami League (AL), has announced a lockdown in Dhaka, as reported by several media outlets. Police and administration will be keeping a close eye on the possible shutdown for Thursday, as security steps have been tightened. Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated to Xinhua that strict security arrangements have been made.
Earlier on Tuesday, Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that “police and security forces are now patrolling the country more often,” as reported by Xinhua. He also noted that they have increased protection for significant government buildings.
A student-led protest ousted Hasina’s regime on August 5, 2024, after which she took refuge in India while most leaders of her party and the government were subsequently arrested or are on the run at home and abroad, as courts generally decline to grant their bail petition.
Yunus flew from Paris to assume the charge of the interim government as the nominee of the student protestors and subsequently disbanded the Awami League until its leaders, including Hasina, were “served justice” for crimes they committed.
Bangladesh’s political landscape turned murky with the exclusion of Awami League from carrying out political activities and amid growing feuds among other major parties like ex-premier Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Jamaat-e-Islami.
He added that the activities of the AL party, which are currently prohibited in the country, do not cause any fears regarding the program.
The reports about the Awami League’s planned programme emerged as Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal is expected to announce the verdict date on Thursday for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and several of her top aides.
Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) is set to announce a date for delivering judgment against deposed prime minister Hasina after her trial in absentia on charges of alleged crimes against humanity.
The DMP, however, called the deployment part of their “regular security exercise” as a huge number of policemen in riot gear, including steel helmets and body armour, were seen at key intersections across the capital, stopping pedestrians for bag checks and questioning, and inspecting suspicious vehicles.
“Our regular operational activities include quick-response drills to ensure readiness for any kind of emergency,” DMP spokesman Muhammad Talebur Rahman told reporters. Till now, Bangladesh police in Dhaka had arrested 34 leaders of the Awami League. Simultaneously, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sazzat Ali told the public not to panic in a press conference on Thursday.
He stated, “There is no cause for concern about November 13. Law-and-order in the capital is fully under control.'”
As reported by The Dhaka Tribune, the commissioner delivered these statements on Tuesday at a media event organized by the DMP at their Minto Road Media Center.
When asked about any intelligence concerning potential violence or sabotage focused on Thursday, he responded, “There have been one or two incidents in which cocktails were thrown from motorcycles and the perpetrators fled quickly. Yesterday, (Monday) in Demra, we caught someone red-handed while setting a bus on fire. We hope to catch those who threw cocktails from motorcycles while they tried to flee as well.”
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