Ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th general election, tensions have been mounting across the country, with a series of incidents unsettling the pre-poll atmosphere. From explosions at two churches in Dhaka to gunfire in Chattogram, the security situation has grown increasingly volatile.
Police say clashes have broken out in several districts in recent days. To prevent further deterioration of law and order, the authorities have drawn up additional security plans and stepped up patrols nationwide. Law enforcement agencies are operating under a heightened state of alert, with intelligence-led surveillance and continuous coordination meetings taking place.
Senior officials say the focus now is on preventing violence after dark, particularly in Dhaka and Chattogram, where several recent incidents have occurred. The police headquarters has issued strict orders to all stations and detective units to remain vigilant. RAB has also intensified night patrols.
Lockdown call and political undercurrents
Although political activity by the ruling Awami League remains banned, the party is reportedly promoting a “lockdown” programme on social media for 13 November. On that day, the International Crimes Tribunal is due to set a date for verdict in a case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The day will also see an Advisory Council’s meeting and the beginning of the Election Commission’s dialogue with political parties—two developments that have made security planners wary of unrest.
To pre-empt any outbreak of violence, police will deploy 6,829 personnel across 142 key locations in Dhaka’s eight divisions.
On Saturday, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam chaired a meeting at DMP Headquarters, issuing directives to field officers on how to manage possible unrest during the lockdown and to maintain overall stability.
Assurance from home affairs adviser
Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said on Sunday that the government is not concerned about the Awami League’s 13 November lockdown programme. Law enforcement is fully prepared to respond to any situation. He also stated that reports claiming that 50% of troops would be withdrawn from the field are incorrect.
Massive deployment and on-guard drills
According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) figures, 8 DCs, 17 additional DCs, 8 assistant commissioners, 147 inspectors, and 920 assistant superintendents of police have been deployed, alongside 2,880 personnel from Public Order Management (POM), 100 from prosecution, 200 from protection, 120 from the secretariat, 123 from the diplomatic zone, 100 from the Supreme Court, 60 from DMP Headquarters, 2,020 from police stations, 30 female officers, and 99 members of the Armed Police Battalion (APBn).
Each location has received detailed operational instructions, specifying how and when personnel will respond.
DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali told TIMES of Bangladesh on Sunday that police remain vigilant against any form of sabotage or disorder. “The Awami League’s activities are banned, yet the 13 November lockdown campaign continues on social media. In several areas of Dhaka, there have been attempts to hold flash demonstrations and isolated incidents.”
He added that police have made extensive preparations for the lockdown programme. As part of these measures, an “on-guard mobilisation drill” was conducted on Saturday afternoon at all key locations in the eight divisions.
142 high-risk points under watch
Police officers in charge of various stations said that DMP has marked 142 “critical points” across Dhaka, each under the supervision of a divisional DC. Ramna has the highest number with 34 points, followed by Motijheel with 17; Wari, Tejgaon, and Uttara each with 16; Lalbagh with 15; and both Mirpur and Gulshan with 14 points.
Detective Branch (DB) officials said security was reinforced after Friday night’s cocktail attacks at Kakrail Church and St Joseph’s School, and after a banned Awami League group attempted a torch procession in Dhaka’s Shankar area.
On Saturday, senior police officials met with all divisional DCs and station OCs at DMP Headquarters. Check posts are being set up at all entry points into the capital for intensive searches, they confirmed.
Online mobilisation and rumour campaigns
Police say attempts are being made to spread rumours and incite unrest via Telegram and WhatsApp groups, where instructions are allegedly being issued to activists. Several individuals have already been arrested, and investigators are now tracing the financiers and organisers behind the scenes.
Eyes on 11 November rally
Authorities are also focusing on 11 November, when Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and seven other political parties plan to hold a mega rally in Dhaka’s Paltan area. Police say they are maintaining close contact with organisers to prevent any clashes and ensure that events pass peacefully.
As part of pre-emptive security measures before 11 and 13 November, the law enforcers conducted a show-down on Saturday afternoon. Extensive drills were carried out at 142 key locations, including chief adviser’s residence at state guest house Jamuna, National Press Club, Bangladesh Secretariat, High Court Mazar Gate, Parliament House, Bangabhaban, Chief Adviser’s Office, Shahbagh, TSC, Hotel Intercontinental intersection, Kawran Bazar, Officers’ Club, Russell Square, Zero Point, and Police Bhaban Crossing.
Top-level monitoring from headquarters
Multiple sources confirmed that senior police officials have held a series of meetings at headquarters to assess the overall law and order situation.
The IGP reportedly instructed divisional commissioners, range DIGs, and district police superintendents to intensify intelligence gathering and field surveillance. The entire security operation is being centrally monitored from headquarters.
