Four Awami League Leaders Arrested After Nandail Flash March

Police have arrested four leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organisations in Nandail, Mymensingh, following an alleged candle-lighting event and a brief flash march held on Friday night to mark 1 August.

The four were taken into custody after police launched a late-night operation in the Rasulpur area. A case has reportedly been filed against them under provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act in connection with allegations of attempting to disrupt public safety and create an unstable situation.

According to local sources, several leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations gathered on a narrow unpaved road near the Bilpar area of Rasulpur village as part of a programme marking 1 August. They reportedly carried a banner featuring a photograph of Anwarul Abedin Khan Tuhin, a former Awami League member of parliament from the Nandail constituency.

The gathering allegedly involved candle lighting and the chanting of slogans described by police as provocative and directed against the government. Law enforcement authorities said the activity was intended to create fear among local residents and contribute to instability in the area.

Acting on confidential information, police conducted a special operation in the area late at night. Four people were arrested at the scene, while efforts are continuing to identify and apprehend others allegedly involved in the gathering.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Md Aminul Haque Shaheen, 40, general secretary of the Moyaezemppur Union unit of the Jubo League; Jannat Ullah, 37, a member of the Moyaezemppur Union Awami League; Jahirul Islam, 39, also a member of the same union unit; and Mehedi Hasan Sarker, 20, general secretary of a ward-level Chhatra League unit.

Nandail Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Azaharul Islam said the four men had been arrested on allegations of attempting to undermine public security. He added that police operations were continuing to identify and arrest other suspects named in connection with the case.

The arrests come amid heightened law-enforcement attention to political gatherings involving the Awami League and its affiliated organisations, whose activities have been prohibited. Police have been closely monitoring unauthorised rallies, processions and other political programmes in different parts of the country, particularly where authorities believe such activities could lead to public disorder.

The case is expected to proceed through the legal process, with the allegations against the arrested individuals to be examined by the relevant authorities. No immediate statement was available from the accused or their representatives regarding the allegations brought against them.