179 arrested over Awami League flash procession in Gulshan

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have so far arrested 179 people over their alleged participation in a flash procession by leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations, whose activities are currently banned, in the capital’s Gulshan area.

DMP Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) Niaz Mehedi disclosed the information on Saturday (September 19), saying 179 people had been arrested as of that day in connection with the Gulshan procession.

According to police, around 150 to 200 leaders and activists gathered in an alley beside KFC on Road No. 3 under Gulshan Police Station at around noon on September 11 and brought out a flash procession.

Police said that when they moved to disperse the procession, participants allegedly threw crude bombs at them. Police subsequently fired two rounds of rubber bullets to disperse the procession and bring the situation under control, according to then Gulshan Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Daud Hossain.

A case was later filed with Gulshan Police Station under the Anti-Terrorism Act in connection with the incident.

Following the incident, Gulshan Police Station OC Md Daud Hossain was withdrawn and attached to DMP headquarters. Gulshan Division Deputy Commissioner M Tanvir Ahmed was also later attached to headquarters for what the DMP described as administrative reasons. The orders took immediate effect.