The presence of commuters as well as vehicles was noticeably thinner on Thursday in the capital as no major activity was reported during the Awami League’s pre-announced ‘Dhaka Lockdown’ programme.

As the security forces remained on high alert to avert any untoward incident centring the announcement of the verdict date in a case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the leaders and activists of activity-banned AL could not fish in the troubled waters.

However, some sporadic incidents were reported in other districts including Faridpur and Gazipur.

Empty streets in Dhaka

Law enforcement agencies maintained a strong presence throughout Dhaka, with security heightened around key points including the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), to thwart any attempt to create anarchy.

From early morning, police and members of other security forces were deployed at major intersections and entry points to Dhaka. They conducted random searches and remained on high alert throughout the day. Although vehicular movement was sparse, public transport operated normally, and a few private cars were seen on the roads. However, ordinary people mostly refrained from going out.

Leaders and activists of BNP, Jamaat, NCP, and other parties were reportedly on alert as well in different parts of the capital. However, no gatherings of Awami League leaders or activists were seen.

Police briefly detained two individuals - a youth and an adolescent - from Dhanmondi 32 on suspicion but later released them after necessary questioning.

In the afternoon, a fire broke out at the central office of the activity-banned Awami League. Witnesses said 10–15 unidentified individuals gathered wood, paper cartons, and other materials on the fourth floor before setting them ablaze.

The Gabtoli bus terminal remained largely empty as several long-haul bus operators suspended or delayed services due to poor passenger turnout.

Blockades in Faridpur

Vehicle movement was disrupted on Thursday for five hours on the Dhaka-Khulna and Dhaka-Barishal highways as the road was blocked by AL activists and supporters at five points over a 28-kilometre stretch between Bhanga and Naodoba in Jajira.

Several vehicles were stranded on both sides of the highways due to the blockade. Vehicle movement resumed around 11am after police cleared the road.

Bhanga Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Rokibuzzaman confirmed that blockades had been set up in several points of Bhanga upazila. Witnesses reported that some participants, including minors, were carrying sticks and sharp weapons.

During the blockade, a police van was attacked and vandalised, and hand bombs were hurled. In Tastarkandi, a truck was set on fire.

Padma Bridge South Police Station OC Golam Rasul said protesters occupied a one-kilometre stretch west of the bridge. Miscreants hurled a hand bomb at a police van and set fire to a truck, when police tried to clear the road.

Three held in Gazipur

In Gazipur, locals detained three leaders of the Chhatra League and Swechchhasebak League for allegedly carrying petrol bombs.

They were identified as Noman (28), Akash (25), and Russel (35). Locals handed them over to Joydebpur police.

Thin highway traffic

Traffic on the Dhaka–Tangail and Dhaka–Chattogram highways was thin on Thursday as many long-haul buses refrained from operating amid fears of arson.

No major incidents were reported as police intensified highway patrols and checkpoints in vulnerable areas, said Sahinur Alam Khan, police superintendent of Cumilla region.

 The reporter can be reached at [email protected]