Police Raid After Procession in Jashore, Counter-Protest Held: Two Awami League Leaders Arrested

Local Correspondent | April 20, 2025

After a police raid on the homes of Awami League leaders in hiding following mob attacks, party members staged a flash protest procession in Jashore on Sunday evening.

By 5 p.m., police arrested two Awami League leaders, identified as Jahangir Alam Mukul, President of Jhikargacha Upazila Awami League, and Shahjahan Ali, President of Navaron Union Awami League.

Police stated the arrests were made in connection with cases of sabotage.

Jhikargacha Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Babulur Rahman Khan reported that both leaders were implicated in multiple cases of sabotage and had been in hiding since August 5 last year. Acting on a tip-off, police arrested Jahangir Alam Mukul in the Benoyali area of Jhikargacha Upazila and Shahjahan Ali near Navaron Petrol Pump.

The protest procession began at Old Kasba Kathaltala intersection in the city, where participants chanted slogans such as “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu” and “Sheikh Hasina will return as a hero.” Protesters alleged that police harassment of Awami League leaders stemmed from their participation in the march.

Eyewitnesses reported that the procession included several Awami League leaders and activists who arrived in auto-rickshaws. The march traveled to Bablatal Bridge in the suburb before returning to Kathaltala. Locals noted that the participants were unfamiliar, suggesting they had come from outside the area.

Senior district police officials denied knowledge of the Awami League procession. Superintendent of Police Rawnak Jahan told journalists that there was no record of such an event.

Despite this denial, police raids continued throughout the day, leading to the detention of several Awami League activists. The two arrested leaders will be presented in court on Monday, according to police sources.

Earlier in the day, law enforcement raided the homes of several prominent Awami League figures, including district Awami League General Secretary and former MP Shahin Chaklader.