Tension rises in Dhaka ahead of planned ‘lockdown’ amid fears of violence

Published : Wednesday, 12 November, 2025 at 1:50 PM Count : 141

Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka is on the edge ahead of Thursday’s planned ‘lockdown’, as reports of arson and crude bomb explosions have heightened public anxiety.

Law enforcement agencies, including the police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), have been deployed across the city to prevent potential violence.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Sajjad Ali said the force was fully prepared to avert acts of sabotage associated with the lockdown.

“We hope Dhaka residents will stand with us to resist this lockdown and maintain peace,” he said, adding that additional police personnel had been stationed at all city entry and exit points.

BGB deployment

Fourteen platoons of the BGB have been deployed in Dhaka and surrounding districts since Wednesday morning, according to BGB Public Relations Officer Shariful Islam.

Twelve platoons are stationed at key points within the capital, while two are deployed in nearby districts.

“BGB members are patrolling strategic areas including Hotel Intercontinental, Dhanmondi-32, Airport, Abdullahpur, Kakrail, Shishu Park, the High Court area, and Abrar Fahad Avenue,” he said.

Violence

The unrest has already left its mark on the city. On Tuesday night, miscreants set fire to a Malanch Paribahan passenger bus near Sutrapur Fire Station. Crude bomb explosions were also reported in Hatirjheel, Karwan Bazar and other parts of Dhaka.

An official from the Fire Service and Civil Defence told UNB, “At least five arson incidents have been reported in the capital in the past 24 hours. However, no casualties were reported.”

Political Backdrop

The planned ‘lockdown’ follows an announcement by the Awami League ahead of a verdict by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and others in a case involving crimes against humanity.

Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh to India on 5 August 2024, and political instability has since deepened.

Public Anxiety

Despite repeated assurances from law enforcement agencies, fear remains palpable among residents. “We’re scared because buses may not run tomorrow. We’ve already heard about fires breaking out in some areas over the past several nights,” said a passenger at Gabtoli Bus Terminal.

Police Warning & Advice

The DMP Commissioner warned of strict action against anyone involved in violence or vandalism. “No one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands,” he said, urging residents to remain vigilant.

Highlighting the risk of perpetrators from outside Dhaka seeking refuge within the city, he advised residents, particularly owners of houses, hotels, hostels, and messes, not to give shelter to unknown individuals.

“Before renting out your motorcycle or vehicle, verify the individual properly to ensure it does not fall into the hands of miscreants,” he said.

Residents were also encouraged to call the national emergency helpline 999 if they notice suspicious activity.

Without explicitly naming the Awami League, Sajjad Ali said, “A political party and its affiliated organisations have carried out 14 flash processions since October.”

Between October and 11 November, these organisations were reportedly responsible for 17 crude bomb explosions across Dhaka. In the past two days alone, nine vehicles were set ablaze.

Seventeen cases have been filed and 50 people arrested in connection with these incidents, he added, while noting that a total of 552 individuals have been detained since October for their alleged involvement in such acts.

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CCTV footage has revealed that attackers often wear helmets and masks, striking either at dawn or during rush hours. “We have found evidence that underage boys are being used to detonate cocktails,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police conducted simultaneous drives across the capital in the past 24 hours, arresting 44 more leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations.

FP/MI