Awami League Flash Marches in Dhaka: Investigation Underway into Funding and Backers

PNN News Desk | Dhaka

Law enforcement agencies have launched an investigation into the alleged funding and behind-the-scenes planning of flash marches staged by the prohibited Awami League and its affiliated organisations in different parts of the capital.

According to intelligence sources, several Awami League leaders who are either in hiding or staying abroad are allegedly providing financial support to organise grassroots activists for such programmes.

Relevant sources said information has recently emerged that activists were provided with cash and transportation expenses to organise sudden marches in the capital. Investigators are attempting to identify the sources of the money and the coordinators behind the activities by questioning arrested individuals and analysing various pieces of information and evidence.

Intelligence sources have claimed that the names of several leaders, including former State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid Bipu and former Dhaka North City Corporation councillor Nasir Uddin, have surfaced in connection with the alleged funding. However, comments from the individuals concerned were not immediately available regarding the allegations.

A cocktail explosion also occurred during a flash march by Awami League leaders and activists in Gulshan on September 11. A total of 32 people were arrested from the march in connection with the incident. Police subsequently arrested several more people during operations conducted on the following day and later.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said an additional 40 people were detained during a special operation on September 13 alone.

Following the Gulshan incident, the DMP formed a two-member investigation committee to examine how the march was organised while evading police attention and whether there were any shortcomings in the security arrangements.

According to law enforcement data, 143 flash marches in the name of the prohibited Bangladesh Chhatra League took place across the country in August. A total of 43 cases were filed in connection with those incidents, while 205 people were arrested.

During the first nine days of September, 31 flash marches allegedly organised by Chhatra League took place, resulting in seven cases and 50 arrests.

Meanwhile, during the first 10 days of September, a total of 36 incidents involving allegations of disruption of law and order were recorded in connection with the Awami League, including 22 flash marches and one secret meeting, according to relevant sources.

According to intelligence officials, organisers are adopting a strategy of quickly gathering activists in different parts of the capital, holding marches for a short period and then dispersing. Investigators are also examining the financial transactions associated with the programmes.

Sources said information regarding possible transfers of money through hundi, mobile banking services and bKash is being collected and verified.

Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police chief Shafiqul Islam said important information regarding the funding and planning of recent flash marches had been obtained by questioning people detained during the programmes. He said several names had also emerged and were being verified.

He added that operations were continuing to bring to justice those involved in creating disorder as well as those allegedly providing financial support behind the activities.

DMP Media Department Deputy Commissioner Akhtar Hossain also said important information regarding the flash marches had been obtained from those arrested.

Deputy Commissioner of the DMP Headquarters Shahriar Ali said a two-member investigation committee had been formed to examine the role of police in the Gulshan incident. He said details about the committee members were not being disclosed because it was an administrative matter.

Investigators said one of the main objectives of the probe was to identify not only the grassroots activists involved in the flash marches but also the sources of funding, coordinators and planners operating behind them. Legal action will be taken against those found to be involved after the information is verified.