Bangladesh on nationwide alert before Awami League anniversary

Dhaka,UPDATED: Jun 20, 2026 21:42 IST

Bangladesh on Saturday issued a nationwide security alert over possible unrest ahead of June 23, the founding anniversary of the now-disbanded Awami League, the party of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the government had intelligence inputs that the Awami League could try to create instability around the anniversary. While Dhaka Metropolitan Police said there was no specific security threat, authorities said police and other agencies had been told to remain on maximum alert over the next few days.

Addressing a press conference, Ahmed said, "We have intelligence information that Awami League may try to create unrest and instability in the country surrounding June 23." He said law enforcement agencies had been directed to enforce maximum vigilance and take all necessary measures to prevent sabotage, unrest or any attempt to disrupt public order around the occasion.

Ahmed said the government was closely monitoring the situation and that the incumbent administration did not consider the Awami League a political party, describing it instead as a "mafia organisation". The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government disbanded the party after Hasina's government was toppled on August 5, 2024, following a violent student-led street protest known as the July Uprising.

In an internal communication sent on Friday to its field-level offices and units, police headquarters said Awami League leaders and activists might try to hoist party flags at local offices and bring out processions carrying banners in different parts of the country to mark the anniversary. It said such activities could trigger confrontations with activists of other political outfits, especially the student-led Citizen Party, creating a risk of a deterioration in law and order.

The Awami League has so far issued no notice on its online platforms, but some media reports said party activists had been directed to hoist national and party flags at party offices and stage flash street processions. Media reports also said police had arrested at least 103 Awami League leaders and activists in targeted operations across major cities, including Dhaka, till Saturday. On June 2, police in the south-eastern port city of Chattogram arrested 68 leaders and activists, mainly on charges of plotting sabotage and holding unauthorised street marches.

The Awami League, Bangladesh's oldest political party, was founded in 1949 and led the country's 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan. The interim government later barred it from taking part in the February elections, after which the Bangladesh ist Party came to power and Tarique Rahman was sworn in as prime minister. Overall, authorities remain on alert ahead of June 23 amid concerns over possible unrest linked to the Awami League's founding anniversary.

With PTI Inputs

- Ends