The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed law enforcement agencies to remain on highest alert and immediately arrest anyone attempting to join Awami League’s (AL) announced “lockdown” program scheduled for November 13 in Dhaka.
The direction came on Sunday night from a meeting of the Law and Order Core Committee held at the Secretariat.
The meeting also ordered security forces to maintain a strong presence across key points in the capital to prevent any attempt to enforce the programme.
According to ministry sources, the meeting—originally scheduled for Tuesday—was convened suddenly to discuss AL’s lockdown call with attendence of Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam, DMP Commissioner Sheikh Sajjat Ali, and senior officials from multiple intelligence agencies.
Discussions focused on online campaigns by several mid-level AL leaders currently abroad, who have been promoting the November 13 program on social media.
Officials also reported that a number of activists from districts including Barguna, Barishal, Gopalganj, Madaripur, and Gazipur had already arrived in Dhaka in connection with the planned demonstration.
A proposal to install police checkpoints at key entry points in Dhaka was raised by one of the agencies and subsequently approved.
The meeting also mentioned two Barishal-based Awami League leaders and reviewed their past political activities, expressing concerns they might attempt to organize unrest from abroad.
The deployment of army personnel was also discussed. It was decided that army units currently assisting in maintaining law and order would remain in the field for the time being.
The previous decision to withdraw 50 percent of troops—taken at last week’s core committee meeting—has been suspended in view of the upcoming political situation and the banned party’s declared activities.
Following the meeting, Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury told reporters there was “no cause for concern” regarding the November 13 lockdown announcement.
“The Awami League’s activities remain banned, and the army will stay deployed as before,” he concluded.
