Jasad office in Gulistan raided, 40 suspected Awami League activists held

At least 40 people, believed to be leaders and activists of the banned Awami League, were detained by police on Saturday from the headquarters of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad) in Dhaka’s Gulistan area.

The detainees were taken to Paltan Police Station. The operation was still underway as of 4:45 pm, police said. Officers claimed the group was holding a secret meeting inside the Jasad office. Verification of the detainees’ identities is ongoing.

The raid followed information received earlier in the afternoon that more than 400 Awami League leaders and activists had gathered for a secret meeting at the Jasad office. Members of Jubo Dal arrived at the scene, confined those inside and informed the police. Hundreds of Jubo Dal activists remained outside the building during the operation.

Rabiul Islam Nayan, member secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan South Jubo Dal, told reporters, "Slogans supporting the Awami League are being chanted here. How, then, can we call this a Jasad office? This is effectively an office for the Awami League, a party whose activities are banned. Wherever we see Awami League slogans, Jubo Dal will go. Between 400 and 500 people are trapped inside this office. Thousands of Jubo Dal members are gathered in front, but I have kept them calm. I have asked the administration to take away the people trapped inside.”

A senior police official said officers entered the third floor around 3 pm and found a meeting in progress at the Jasad office.

Akhtar Hossain, deputy commissioner of the Media and Public Relations Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told Daily Samakal at 4:45 pm: “Police have taken 40 people to Paltan Police Station after receiving reports of ‘Joy Bangla’ slogans being chanted in front of that office. The operation is still ongoing.”