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Police have arrested 44 leaders and activists of the Awami League, a party banned from holding any activities, and its affiliates in various places in Cumilla.
They were arrested between 6:00 am and 8:00 am on Sunday, Cumilla Police Superintendent Mohammad Nazir Ahmed Khan said.
He said that based on a tip-off, the police arrested 29 leaders and activists of the banned organisation Chhatra League on charges of planning sabotage in the Tomsom Bridge, Badurtala and Dharmasagarpar areas of the city while preparing for a flash procession.
The police officer also said that 15 more leaders and activists of the Chhatra League were arrested during raids in different areas of the district, bdnews24.com reports.
Police said that various equipment including bamboo sticks, banners, gas lights and other items were recovered from the detainees. However, their names and identities were not immediately confirmed.
Witnesses say that in the morning, Chhatra League leaders and activists began to gather in various areas of the city to organise flash processions and sabotage. Later, a sudden police raid spread panic in the area. Several people were arrested and loaded on to a police van on charges of planning sabotage.
Kotwali Model Police Station OC Mahinul Islam said, "We launched the raid after receiving information about plans to stage a flash procession and create unrest at various important places in the city. At least 29 people were arrested over suspicious activities in the Tomsom Bridge, Badurtala and Dharmasagarpar areas."
"Different materials for planning sabotage, including bamboo sticks, were found from them. With the aim of disrupting law and order in Cumilla, preparations were under way for a flash procession of the banned Chhatra League in the city, funded by Tahsin Bahar Suchona, daughter of former MP AKM Bahar."
He said that police were preparing to file multiple cases against the detainees under multiple laws, including sabotage. He added that security has been beefed up across the city.
Police Superintendent Mohammad Nazir Ahmed said that banners, sticks and various sabotage materials were recovered from the detainees. Legal action against the detainees is under way.