Law enforcement agencies dispersed the banned organization Hizb ut-Tahrir as they were holding a procession in the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque area in Dhaka as part of its “March for Khilafat” program.

Police used batons, sound grenades, and tear gas to disperse the members of the banned outfit on Friday (March 7) afternoon after Jummah prayers.

Later, members of the banned outfit attempted to regroup and restart the rally, leading to repeated clashes with law enforcement. Police and the protesters engaged in chase and counter-chase as security forces worked to prevent them from gathering. 

However, around 10-15 members of the organization were detained during the incident.

According to eyewitnesses, the participants were chanting slogans in favor of establishing a caliphate (Khilafat). The swift police response led to a heated situation, with several people, including police officers and journalists, sustaining injuries.

Deputy Commissioner (Ramna Division) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Masud Alam said the situation is now relatively under control. 

"We have dispersed them, but they are still scattered. They may try to regroup, so we are on alert," he said.

Earlier, the banned outfit had announced plans to hold the rally at Baitul Mukarram on Friday. 

Later, The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) warned that necessary actions would be taken if any banned organization, including Hizb ut-Tahrir, attempted to organize meetings, rallies, or propaganda activities.

A press release in this regard was issued on Thursday by the DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) Muhammad Talebur Rahman.

In the press release, he said Hizb ut-Tahrir remains a banned organization under Bangladesh law. The government prohibited the group on October 22, 2009, considering it a threat to public security.

Under the Anti-Terrorism Act 2009, any activity by banned organizations—including meetings, rallies, processions, and distribution of leaflets or posters—is a punishable offense. The DMP has reaffirmed that any attempts at such activities will be met with lawful action.

Meanwhile, around midnight on Thursday, the Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of DMP arrested three active members of Hizb ut-Tahrir from the Uttara West police station area.

BDST: 1517 HRS, March 07, 2025
MSK