Police have arrested 41 leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and its associate organisations during an overnight drive across eight upazilas of Jashore, coinciding with a dawn arson attack on the July Memorial in the town centre.
The arson incident occurred during the early hours of Monday at the Bakultala intersection in Jashore town.
According to a 35-second video clip circulating on social media, two miscreants set fire to the memorial in the dark of night.
As flames blazed, three youths were seen descending from the main pedestal of the monument and fleeing while chanting “Sheikh Hasina” and “Joy Bangla” slogans.
By Monday noon, visible black burn marks remained on the memorial, sparking intense outrage among local residents.
In response, law enforcement authorities heightened security across the town, deploying additional police at the memorial premises and intensifying vigilance at key locations.
District police also took disciplinary action against two police members on duty at the site, withdrawing them from duty for negligence.
Additional Superintendent of Police Mirajul Islam stated that two police officers are routinely posted at the memorial every evening.
He confirmed that two miscreants entered the premises to ignite the fire before escaping.
Police are currently collecting and analysing CCTV footage from adjacent cameras to identify and apprehend those involved.
Simultaneously, law enforcement conducted a special overnight drive across eight upazilas of Jashore early on Monday, apprehending 41 leaders and activists belonging to the banned Awami League and its associate bodies.
The arrestees include upazila-level Chhatra League leaders and union-level Awami League activists.
Following their detention, police filed cases against several Awami League leaders and activists under anti-sabotage and anti-terrorism laws, while others were shown arrested under existing warrant cases.
All 41 detainees were produced before respective courts on Monday afternoon, where judges ordered them sent to prison.
According to police figures, 17 arrests were made in Jashore Sadar, four each in Abhaynagar, Bagherpara, and Benapole, three each in Manirampur and Keshabpur, and two each in Chaugachha, Sharsha, and Jhikargachha.
Additional Superintendent of Police Mirajul Islam confirmed the arrests, stating that special operations will continue as part of ongoing efforts to maintain law and order, control crime, and combat drugs and terrorism across the district.
Although the mass arrests coincided with the arson attack, police have shown the detentions under generalised charges of anti-sabotage and illegal activities.
It remains unconfirmed whether any of the 41 detainees were among those who caused the arson at the July Memorial, with CCTV investigations still underway.
Meanwhile, police sources revealed that a procession of the banned Jubo League was brought out in Jashore early on Sunday morning, with participants chanting “Shekher beti aitache” (“Sheikh’s daughter is coming”).
A large number of men and women, alongside activists of Jubo League, participated in the march.
Viral social media footage showed the procession originating from Laldighi and parading through Mikepatti.
The march was led by Sheikh Shahid, a resident of Nilganj and a Jubo League activist.
Police arrested 17 suspects on Monday, including Sheikh Shahid, in connection with the incident.
