Awami League ‘sleeper cells’ reported ahead of Bangladesh election

PARBATTANEWS DESK

Intelligence sources quoted by Daily Naya Diganta say the banned Awami League has formed “sleeper cells” in Dhaka as the country prepares for its 13th national election.

The party, removed from power a year ago, is unlikely to contest the polls. While its chairperson Sheikh Hasina and some senior leaders have left the country, grassroots supporters remain active.

Reports of sleeper cells

According to multiple intelligence officials cited by Naya Diganta, the groups are planning flash processions, crude bomb attacks, suicide operations at gatherings, and targeted killings. Members reportedly include both party activists and hired youth gangs.

The officials said fugitive leaders abroad are directing operations through communication networks. They alleged that several industrialists linked to the former ruling party are financing the activities, with at least Tk 1 billion spent in the past month.

Intelligence reports also claimed that sleeper cell members are being housed in Dhaka’s upscale areas, where torture facilities have been set up for those accused of leaking information or defecting.

Police operations

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said it has intensified operations against the flash processions. Dozens of arrests have already been made, and police say interrogations have provided “valuable information.”

DMP Commissioner Sheikh Sajjat Ali warned officers that failure to prevent banned processions would result in disciplinary action. “Action must be taken against the officer of any area where a procession occurs,” he said in a recent wireless message.

Flash processions have been reported in more than 50 locations across the capital, including Shahbagh, Dhanmondi, Mirpur, Farmgate, Tejgaon, Motijheel and Uttara. In some cases, homemade explosives were used.

Political messaging

According to Naya Diganta, observers believe the gatherings aim to disrupt the election, revive Awami League activity, and create public anxiety. Social media posts from public figures, including academic Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, have drawn attention. On 15 September, he wrote: “The more days pass, the bigger Awami League’s processions become.”

Other posts referred to processions chanting slogans such as “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu” and “Sheikh Hasina will return.” These messages have attracted thousands of online comments.

Arrests and cases

On 18 September, police arrested Ashraful Alam, head of Tejgaon College’s Bangla department and president of Kashimpur Upazila Awami League in Gazipur. Tejgaon police said he was detained for leading banned processions and linked him to crude bomb blasts. A case under the Anti-Terrorism Act has been filed against him.

DMP reported that more than 300 Awami League leaders and activists have been detained in the past month. Arrests are being made using photos, livestreams, and CCTV footage from the events.

Government response

At a recent law-and-order committee meeting, the Home Ministry reviewed the processions. Officials said the banned party was exploiting divisions among opposition groups, especially around the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election. Participants were reported to have travelled from districts including Barguna, Barisal, and Gopalganj.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury instructed police to take the matter seriously. DMP Deputy Commissioner Talebur Rahman said all police units had been ordered to remain alert and prevent gatherings by banned groups.