People chase and beat an individual as police and other law-enforcement personnel maintain a heavy security presence near Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka on Saturday, with an armoured police vehicle, water cannon and barricades deployed around the demolished residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the 51st anniversary of his assassination.
The demolished residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Dhanmondi Road 32 saw a series of incidents on Saturday, as the 51st anniversary of his assassination was observed amid heightened security and restrictions on the activities of the Awami League.
Several people who went to the site to lay flowers were detained and later released, while one person was shown arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act. In different parts of the country, several leaders and activists of the ousted Awami League and its affiliated organisations were also detained or arrested.
This was the third “15th August” since the Awami League was ousted from power following the mass uprising on 5 August 2024.
During the Awami League’s rule, 15 August was observed as National Mourning Day with programmes across the country. The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus later cancelled the observance, while the Awami League’s activities have since been banned.
Except in Gopalganj, the party’s leaders and activists have largely been unable to gather to pay tribute to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 was attacked, looted and set on fire on 5 August 2024. The building was subsequently demolished with bulldozers over several days from 5 February 2025, and the site was later vandalised again.
Security was tightened in Dhaka and elsewhere across the country this year, the first 15 August since the BNP returned to power. Police took positions behind barricades in front of the demolished building from the previous night, while people passing through the area were subjected to searches.
A group identifying themselves as “July fighters” also remained at the site throughout the day.
They allegedly assaulted three people for chanting “Joy Bangla”, recording videos on their mobile phones and distributing snacks.
Around noon, police detained two of the people who were assaulted. They were later taken to Dhanmondi Police Station and released.
Earlier, around 10:15am, police detained Arnab Das, who had gone to Dhanmondi 32 to lay flowers. He is from Tangail.
Law enforcement officials said Arnab was an active member of the Jubo League, an affiliated organisation of the Awami League. He was later sent to court under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Dhanmondi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Imdadul Islam said Arnab was sent to court for further legal action after his affiliation with the banned political party was established. “The other two were safely removed from the angry crowd by police,” he said.
Arrests outside Dhaka
In Khulna, police detained five people in the Sonadanga area while they were distributing food under the banner of the banned Awami League.
Police said that they had secretly gathered with the intention of creating confusion among the public and destabilising the country.
In Jhenaidah, five people, including district Awami League Vice-President and former MP Nayeb Ali Zoardar, were arrested.
They were accused of plotting sabotage and planning and sponsoring a flash procession by the banned Chhatra League.
Panic spread across Meherpur town in the morning after three bomb-like, box-shaped objects were found at different locations. Police later said one of the objects was playing a recorded speech by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
In Ramganj, Lakshmipur, police arrested 10 people, including five leaders of the Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League, in connection with a sabotage case.
They were detained during raids at different locations in the upazila in the early hours of Saturday.
Ramganj Police Station OC Md Firoz Uddin Chowdhury said they were arrested in cases filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act and in connection with allegations of sabotage.
At Rajshahi University, Rucsu General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar organised the slaughter of a cow named “BKSAL” (Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League) and a feast to mark 15 August.
