A case has been filed in Khulna against 15 named and around 35 to 40 unnamed leaders and activists of the Awami League and its associate bodies on charges of conspiring against the government and carrying out anti-state activities.
Sub-Inspector Tapan Kumar Pal of Sadar Police Station lodged the case on Thursday night, said Inspector (Investigation) Md Mizanur Rahman.
Among the named accused are Khulna district Jubo League office secretary Asaduzzaman Khan Riaz and Khulna city unit joint general secretary of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) Tayeful Islam Taj. Others named in the case include Ranbir Baroi Sajal, Anup Sarkar, Mridul, Prosenjit, Md Shahidul Islam, Rahat Ali Morol, Anik Hasan Parvez, Gautam Sarkar Kakon, Asafur Dhali, Gopal Chandra Saha, Md Akhter Sikder, Monirul Islam Moni and Md Rafiqul Islam Pintu.
According to the case statement, the accused allegedly gathered in front of Islami Bank Hospital near Tare Pukur in the city between 4:45am and 5:55am on Wednesday.
They are accused of throwing bricks and vandalising vehicles in an attempt to topple the government, disrupt public order and cut off communication between Khulna and other districts.
The statement further alleges that they raised slogans in support of the banned BCL and the Awami League, which is currently facing restrictions on its political activities, creating panic among local residents.
Police said the group fled the scene before officers arrived after being alerted.
Investigators later identified the suspects using CCTV footage and local intelligence.
It is also alleged that the group had been involved in secret meetings, fundraising, recruitment efforts to reorganise banned organisations, and activities aimed at destabilising law and order.
Inspector Md Mizanur Rahman said police operations were ongoing to arrest the accused.
