70 Awami League Leaders in West Bengal, Including Police Officers

PNN News Desk, Dhaka

After the 2024 mass uprising, many Awami League leaders left Bangladesh and moved to India. Over the past two years, some of them have subsequently moved to various countries in Europe, the United States and Southeast Asia, while a large number are still staying in West Bengal. Concealing their identities and locations, many of them are spending their days largely out of public view in Kolkata and surrounding areas.

According to a report by BBC Bangla, at least 70 Awami League leaders, including members of the party's Presidium, former members of parliament and senior leaders of affiliated organizations, are currently staying in West Bengal. Most of them are living in Kolkata and nearby areas. The report also mentioned that around 40 police officers are staying there as well.

At one point, nearly 200 people, including former members of parliament, Awami League and affiliated organization leaders and activists, police officers and army personnel, were staying in Kolkata and surrounding areas. However, statements from people concerned indicate that the number has declined over time.

Several Awami League leaders currently staying in India said their lifestyles changed significantly after leaving Bangladesh. Many are now living with financial assistance from relatives and friends. Compared with their financial circumstances while they were in Bangladesh, many of them now have considerably fewer resources.

Some have arranged accommodation in rented apartments, while others are sharing rented homes with several people. Many do not have their families with them. Several said they now have to use taxis or public transportation instead of private vehicles.

Some said the situation was even more difficult during the initial period after leaving the country. For security reasons, they avoided staying in one place for long and moved between the homes of relatives. They also had to exercise caution when using mobile phones.

Former member of parliament Pankaj Nath said that after leaving Bangladesh, he stayed at the homes of different relatives for several months. When communicating with his family, he used relatives' phones instead of his own.

The Awami League leaders have also not become completely detached from political activities while staying in India. They are maintaining contact with party leaders and activists in Bangladesh through Facebook, Messenger and WhatsApp.

According to them, they are continuing activities such as communicating with party workers, reorganizing committees at various levels, providing assistance in ongoing legal cases and conducting campaigns on social media.

Leaders staying in Kolkata and surrounding areas have also maintained communication among themselves. According to several Awami League sources, at one point a few leaders rented a commercial office near Kolkata and regularly held meetings there. Although the place was used like a party office, it was later no longer used.

BBC Bangla also reported that Awami League leaders staying in India have remained in contact with the party's president and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina over the past two years.

According to people familiar with the matter, there were not many direct meetings during the initial period. Later, however, leaders from different levels travelled to Delhi in small groups to meet Sheikh Hasina.

Meanwhile, banned Chhatra League president Saddam Hossain said he remained in hiding in Bangladesh for a long period after August 5. He said he had to repeatedly change his location for security reasons. Despite the circumstances, he claimed that he attempted to continue the organization's activities.

Saddam also claimed that although he later left the country due to the situation, most Awami League leaders and activists are still in Bangladesh.

Actress and known Awami League supporter Rokeya Prachi has also said that she remained in hiding in Bangladesh for a long period after August 5.

According to her, during the approximately one and a half years she remained in the country, she changed at least 12 SIM cards in order to conceal her identity and whereabouts. After staying at home for the first few days, she eventually left secretly at dawn. She said she even had to wear a burqa when going outside to conceal her identity.

Rokeya Prachi said she stopped using her own phone after switching it off. While staying at different homes, she used the phones of people there to communicate with acquaintances through Facebook and Messenger.

Several Awami League leaders currently staying in India have said they are mentally preparing to return to Bangladesh. Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina recently expressed her desire to return to the country by December. Following her statement, several party leaders have also said they are preparing to return and face the situation.

Former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury said he had remained involved in party activities and had particularly worked on communicating with international human rights organizations and various agencies and sending reports to them.

Saddam Hossain also said he was preparing to return to Bangladesh, stating that leaders and activists remaining in Bangladesh are the party's main strength. He said his time was being spent communicating with them, reorganizing committees, providing assistance related to legal cases and conducting campaigns on social media.

He said they were mentally and family-wise prepared to return to Bangladesh but were waiting for the appropriate time.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Hasina has also said that she intends to return to Bangladesh. However, she has not yet disclosed detailed information about when or how she would return.