Over 48,400 arrested in one month

Police have arrested over 48,400 people across the country over the last one month, according to data from the Police Headquarters.

On average, the number of daily arrests over the past month stood at around 1,560 -- a figure higher than that recorded during "Operation Devil Hunt" earlier this year, which saw an average of around 1,330 arrests per day.

The highest number of arrests in a day, 2,271, was on May 10, just two days after former president Abdul Hamid left the country, sparking protests from various political and religious groups.

On May 12, the government officially banned all activities of the Awami League and its affiliated bodies on allegations of killings, crimes against humanity, and other grave offences during the July uprising.

Since then, law enforcement agencies have stepped up their actions, arresting AL leaders and activists, including several former lawmakers.

Shahjada Md Ashadujjaman, additional deputy inspector general (operations) at the Police Headquarters, told The Daily Star that the number of arrests has risen recently -- not due to any special drive, but because police have become more active.

"Members of banned political parties attempting to continue their activities are also being detained, contributing to the rise."

— Shahjada Md Ashadujjaman addl DIG at PHQ

He added that several months ago, around 1,000-1,100 people were arrested daily.

"Members of banned political parties attempting to continue their activities are also being detained, contributing to the rise," he said when asked about the political arrests.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), along with its Detective Branch, has detained over 175 AL leaders and activists over the last one month, including eight ex-lawmakers.

Among the MPs are Momtaz Begum (Manikganj-2), Jebunnesa Afroz (Barishal-5), Kazi Monirul Islam Monu (Dhaka-5), Zafar Alam (Cox's Bazar-1), Amirul Alam Milon (Bagerhat-4), Selina Islam (reserved seat-49, Cumilla), and Shamima Akhter Khanom alias Shamima Shahriar (reserved seat-21, Sunamganj).

Besides, former Narayanganj City Corporation mayor and also AL leader Salina Hayat Ivy was arrested on May 9 following a night-long raid at her residence.

Outside Dhaka, drives by police against AL members are also ongoing. Several union parishad chairmen in different areas have also been detained.

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".