Dhaka, Aug 14 — In a sweeping crackdown by the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, several leaders of Bangladesh’s Awami League were arrested ahead of August 15, which marks the 50th death anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Police allege the leaders were planning anti-government programmes on the day.
Among those detained was Aminur Rahman Selim, Assistant Personal Secretary to former Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque. Manikganj Sadar Police Station OC S.M. Aman Ullah confirmed that Selim and seven others were arrested during Wednesday’s raids across various locations. The arrested include Awami League leaders Mohammad Ali Chowdhury, Nurul Islam Nuru, Mosharraf Hossain, Mohammad Raju, Imran Mahmud Iran, Nizam Bepari, and Azim Mia.
Police claim the group had planned events against the interim government and were also accused of involvement in attacks on student protesters during the July demonstrations last year. The accused are expected to be produced before court after legal formalities are completed.
The arrests have triggered strong condemnation from the Awami League, which accused the Yunus regime of attempting to suppress public mourning and freedom of expression. The party criticised the government for failing to commemorate Bangabandhu’s death anniversary and for warning citizens against organising memorial events.
In a statement, the Awami League described August 15 as “National Mourning Day — a day heavy with grief and marked by the most heinous assassination in human history.” It recalled how in 1975, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman — the Father of the Nation, leader of the liberation movement, and architect of independent Bangladesh — was brutally killed along with most of his family members.
The party urged its allies, socio-cultural bodies, and political organisations at home and abroad to observe the day with “dignity, respect, and love” in a solemn, grief-stricken atmosphere.
