Over 50 detained as simultaneous Awami League processions sweep through Dhaka

Police have detained more than 50 people after supporters of the Awami League, banned from political activities, and its affiliates staged fresh anti-government protest marches across Dhaka. Thousands of party leaders and activists simultaneously took to the streets of the capital's Gulistan, Farmgate, Karwan Bazar, Agargaon and Panthapath on Wednesday afternoon, according to witnesses and law enforcement. In Gulistan, several hundred members of the Awami League’s student front, the Bangladesh Chhatra League, reportedly gathered outside the south plaza of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. “Around 2pm, 500-600 Awami League activists began a procession from in front of the south gate, moving past the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium towards the Ahad Police Box,” said Abu Naser, a witness. Alongside the...