Nationwide Security Alert Issued in Bangladesh Before Awami League Founding Day

Bangladesh's authorities have issued a nationwide security alert ahead of the founding anniversary of the Awami League , citing intelligence reports that supporters of the now-disbanded party could attempt to stage demonstrations and other activities that may trigger unrest.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said law enforcement agencies had been directed to maintain maximum vigilance in the days leading up to June 23, the anniversary of the party's founding. Authorities have been instructed to prevent any acts of sabotage, public disorder, or attempts to destabilise the situation.

"We have intelligence information that Awami League may try to create unrest and instability in the country surrounding June 23," Ahmed said. The warning comes amid a deeply polarised political climate following the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's government on August 5, 2024, after a violent student-led protest movement known as the July Uprising . The subsequent interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus disbanded the Awami League and barred it from participating in national elections.

According to police headquarters, Awami League leaders and activists may attempt to hoist party flags, organise processions and display banners to mark the anniversary. Officials warned that such events could lead to confrontations with rival political groups, particularly members of the student-led National Citizen Party , raising concerns over law and order.

While the Dhaka Metropolitan Police said there was no specific security threat, it confirmed that security agencies remain on high alert across the country. Media reports said at least 103 Awami League leaders and activists have been arrested in recent operations across major cities, including Dhaka. Earlier this month, police in Chattogram detained 68 party members, accusing them of plotting acts of sabotage and organising unauthorised street demonstrations.

Founded in 1949 , the Awami League is Bangladesh's oldest political party and played a central role in the country's 1971 Liberation War . The latest security measures highlight the continuing political tensions surrounding the party's future and the broader struggle over Bangladesh's post-Hasina political landscape.