TL;DR
• Over 7,000 people, mostly Awami League leaders and activists, arrested nationwide in the first week of October.
• Arrests focused on those accused of violence during student protests and other crimes like drug smuggling and murder.
• Chattogram range made the most arrests (1,249), followed by Dhaka range (1,033) and Dhaka Metropolitan Police (763).
• Surge in arrests comes after criticism of law enforcement for allowing key figures to flee following the fall of the Awami League government.
Bangladesh law enforcement agencies have arrested over 7,000 people in the first week of October, according to data obtained from police headquarters. The arrests come two months after the fall of the Awami League government amid widespread protests and unrest.
The majority of those arrested are Awami League leaders and activists facing charges related to casualties during recent student protests, as well as other crimes like drug smuggling and murder. An analysis of arrest data shows that between October 1-7:
- A total of 7,018 people were arrested nationwide
- The Chattogram range made the most arrests at 1,249
- Dhaka range was second with 1,033 arrests
- Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested 763 people
- The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested 400 people
The highest number of arrests in a single day was 1,259 on October 3.
This surge in arrests follows criticism of law enforcement for allowing key figures allegedly responsible for violence against protesters to flee. Assistant Inspector General Enamul Haque stated that police faced initial challenges after stations were vandalized, but “now the new leadership in field level policing is recovering from that situation.”
Priority is being given to arresting those accused of casualties during student protests, including former government ministers and officials. At least 222 cases have been filed against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, with 190 being murder cases.
So far, 45 high-profile individuals have been arrested, including former ministers Saber Hossain Chowdhury and Narayan Chandra Chanda on Sunday. Former MP Abul Kalam Azad was arrested on Saturday.
The delay in arrests is attributed to several factors, including many accused fleeing the country and the fragile state of police forces after the change in government. The interim administration is now intensifying efforts in response to continued demands for accountability from student protesters.
Law enforcement is also focused on providing extra security for the upcoming Durga Puja festival. The government aims to address criticism and strengthen arrest operations targeting those involved in violently suppressing recent protests.
