Police have arrested 17 leaders and activists of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League in Bagerhat over allegations that they were preparing to organize an anti-government procession.

According to police, the arrests were made during a raid conducted at around 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday in the Microbus Stand area adjacent to the Rail Road in Bagerhat municipality, following a tip-off.

Police said that a group of around 40 to 42 people attempted to flee while chanting anti-government slogans after noticing the presence of law enforcement. During the operation, officers arrested 17 individuals from the scene.

Police also recovered one banner, 15 bamboo and wooden sticks, and a travel bag containing face masks, which were seized as evidence.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Shahin Fakir (18), Liton Chaprashi (22), Shamim Hossain (18), Ariful Islam (18), Riyad Sheikh (18), Ratin Islam Molla (18), Siraj Sheikh (18), Nazmul Hasan (18), Abdul Kaiyum (21), Mahim Hawlader (18), Habibullah Khan (19), Ankun Mali (18), Meghnath Mali (18), Nazmul Talukder (19), Sadmin Fahim (17), Rabbi Talukder (16), and Hasan Hawlader (33).

Police said three named suspects and another 23 to 25 unidentified individuals managed to escape during the raid.

According to the preliminary police investigation, the arrested and absconding suspects were allegedly preparing to organize the procession with the intention of disrupting public order and obstructing government activities. These allegations remain under investigation.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Shamsul Arefin of Bagerhat Sadar Model Police Station said that a regular case has been filed under the relevant provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009 (as amended) against the arrested and absconding suspects.

Bagerhat Superintendent of Police Hasan Mohammad Naser Rikabdar confirmed the incident and said that police operations are continuing to arrest the remaining suspects.