Police Raid JASAD Office in Gulistan; Dozens Detained on Suspicion of Awami League Links

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) conducted a raid at the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JASAD) headquarters near the GPO intersection in Gulistan, detaining a number of people suspected of having links to the now-banned Awami League.

The operation began on Saturday (September 26), and police are checking the detainees’ identities and political affiliations. Authorities have not confirmed that all those detained are Awami League activists. Reports published at different times gave varying figures, ranging from dozens to around 300 people taken into custody.

Raid During JASAD Meeting
JASAD said it had organised a representatives’ meeting at its headquarters, with participants arriving from different parts of the country.

The party’s office secretary, Sajjad Hossain, alleged that BNP and Jubo Dal activists entered the office and attacked those attending the meeting. He said party members were left confined inside the building after the incident. BNP and Jubo Dal had not issued a response to the allegation in the reports reviewed.

A video circulating on social media appears to show several people entering the office. However, the time of recording and the identities of those shown have not been independently verified.

Police Statement
Police said they acted on intelligence that a secret meeting and preparations for a procession were taking place at the JASAD office.

Authorities are verifying the detainees’ identities, political affiliations and reasons for being at the premises. Police said further legal action would be decided after the verification process.

Journalist Abu Zafar Surya Says He Was Detained
Abu Zafar Surya, a journalist and former president of a faction of the Dhaka Union of Journalists, said on social media that he was detained from the JASAD office.

In a post published on Saturday afternoon, he said he had been performing professional duties at the representatives’ meeting when police took him and others away. Police had not immediately provided detailed information about the specific allegation against him.

Reports of a Procession in Dhanmondi
Media outlets also reported a sudden Awami League procession and cocktail explosions in Dhanmondi on the same day. Several people were reportedly detained in connection with that incident. However, no confirmed link has been established between the Dhanmondi incident and those detained from the JASAD office.

Police said legal action would be taken if evidence of an offence is found. If no such evidence is established, the detainees may be released. The circumstances surrounding the raid and the identities of those detained remain subject to verification.