Over the past eight months, more than 100 flash processions have been brought out across Chattogram by the activity-banned Awami League, its student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), and their associate organisations.
Police records indicate that several dozen processions took place in the last six months, with at least 40 held in past month alone. In response to these activities, Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has filed at least 15 cases and arrested over 200 leaders and activists.
An analysis of CMP data reveals that the highest concentration of police operations and arrests occurred within Kotwali, Khulshi, Panchlaish, and Double Mooring police station jurisdictions.
By contrast, comparatively fewer drives were conducted in the Bandar, Patenga, Akbar Shah, Pahartali, Halishahar, Bakalia, and Karnafuli areas.
According to police figures from July and August, six processions were staged in Panchlaish, five in Kotwali, two in Double Mooring, and one each in Khulshi, Chawkbazar, and Bandar.
A timeline of specific events shows that on 24 April, three separate rallies involving 40 to 70 participants took place at the GEC Intersection, Sholashahar Gate No. 2, and New Market Polo Ground.
On 25 April, three further processions were reported in Mehedibag, Polo Ground, and Sholashahar areas. Subsequent rallies included one near Jamiatul Falah Mosque area on 14 May, another under the banner of Omargani MES College BCL at the GEC Intersection on 1 June, and a procession of 20 to 30 people at Patiya Indrapul Bypass on 25 September.
Torch rallies were also recorded outside the city, including at Patiya Manasa Badamtala, Chandanaish Hashimpur-Dohazari border, Anwara Chatari Choumohoni, Sitakunda Hafiz Jute Mill, Chandgaon, and near Gate No. 2 of Chattogram University.
Law enforcement drives against the organisers have resulted in continuous arrests throughout this period. Police detained eight individuals in front of the Rifles Club on 20 February and four from Court Hill on 20 April.
Kotwali police arrested 12 leaders and activists on 24 April and nine on 25 April. Following the 14 May procession at Jamiatul Falah Mosque, Kotwali police arrested 19 people on 15 May and initiated a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The largest single operation took place on 2 June following the 1 June rally, when CMP conducted a 24-hour citywide drive resulting in 68 arrests, the highest in a single operation.
The breakdown of detainees from this drive included 13 in Khulshi, 12 each in Kotwali and Bayezid, 10 in Panchlaish, seven in Double Mooring, three in EPZ, two each in Bakalia and Karnafuli, and one each in Chawkbazar, Chandgaon, Halishahar, Pahartali, Akbar Shah, Bandar, and Patenga.
Subsequent operations saw Double Mooring police arrest 13 people on 6 June, including Halishahar Jubo League president and a Double Mooring BCL leader; Panchlaish police arrest 14 in Muradpur on 28 August; police detain 12 across Bayezid and Sitakunda during September; eight individuals arrested with a cake in Banshkhali on 27 September; and six detained in Khulshi on 29 September.
Investigators have identified several key figures accused of instructing and coordinating these flash processions and political activities behind the scenes.
Named instructors include former state minister for Education Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, former Chattogram City Chhatra League president Rony, Jubo League leader Helal Akbar Babar, Chattogram South District Jubo League Publicity Secretary Saiful Hasan Titu, and North District Rauzan Upazila BCL leader Sojib Uddin.
Police explained that leaders and activists evade arrest by completing their rallies rapidly on empty streets or deserted locations before dispersing, later circulating video footage on social media platforms.
CMP Commissioner Hasan Md Showkat Ali said no leniency will be shown to anyone planning sabotage or causing harm to life and property, emphasising that police operations have been intensified.
CMP Assistant Commissioner (Media) Md Aminur Rashid added that efforts to identify and arrest those involved are ongoing through the detailed analysis of CCTV footage and social media videos.
