FROM PAGE 12

Flash processions by the banned Chhatra League and other AL-affiliated organisations were brought out in multiple districts, including Khulna, Kishoreganj, Jashore, Shariatpur, Narayanganj, Cumilla, and Barishal.

The DMP said the banned BCL and like-minded groups watch police movements and bring out brief processions. They would then upload photos and videos of the processions on social media. “Law enforcers were analysing photos and videos to identify the participants,” according to the DMP.

On Sunday, 11 AL activists were held from a flash procession in the capital’s Gulistan area. Yesterday, the Detective Branch picked up 16 more members of the banned BCL and AL from various spots across Dhaka.

Mohammadpur police yesterday raided Rayerbazar area and arrested 44 people, including members of a local gang.

Among those detained are drug dealers, muggers, individuals with outstanding arrest warrants, and others involved in various criminal activities, police said.

The law enforcers stepped up their drives after Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury last month ordered them to prevent the AL from bringing out processions, warning that officers who would fail to stop such gatherings would face disciplinary action.

Meanwhile, a list obtained by this newspaper from the Rangpur Metropolitan Police, dated April 23, categories arrests under various headers, including “instigators/planners/associates of destabilisation,” as well as those involved in illegal arms possession, smuggling, robbery, and extortion.

Jannat-Ul-Farhad, assistant inspector general of prisons (development), said the overall prison population has remained relatively stable, as new arrests are being balanced by inmates being released on bail.

Chattogram Jail Senior Jail Superintendent Iqbal Hossain, however, said the number of inmates rose recently. Last month, the number of inmates was over 4,500, which was around 5,500 yesterday.

Earlier this year, between February 8 and March 1, police arrested over 30,000 people, including 12,500 during the “Operation Devil Hunt”.