Law enforcement detained several individuals from a “March for Khilafah” program organized by the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir outfit in the capital on Friday.
The exact number of detentions is yet to be confirmed by the police.
The detentions took place after the program began on the street in front of the northern gate of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque following Friday’s Jummah prayers.
Members of law enforcement agencies detained the individuals shortly after the event commenced.
Witnesses reported that supporters of Hizb ut-Tahrir had only started their procession when police fired sound grenades and tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The authorities then conducted raids in various alleys, detaining several individuals, including one named Nasir, who was reportedly attending the rally from the Jatrabari area.
No immediate statement from any police officer was available regarding the detentions.
It is understood that Hizb ut-Tahrir had organized the “March for Khilafah” to mark the 101st anniversary of the fall of the Caliphate in Turkey.
As soon as Jummah prayers concluded, thousands gathered on the street in front of the mosque’s Baitul Mukarram’s northern gate, chanting the slogan “One path to freedom, Khilafah, Khilafah,” before starting their procession.
When law enforcement officers attempted to block them, the group pushed forward. The police were unable to stop them at the Paltan intersection.
As the group advanced towards Paltan from the Bijoynagar Water Pump intersection, police fired two rounds of tear gas.
Ignoring the tear gas, the procession proceeded to Paltan Maidan, where the police threw three sound grenades, causing the crowd to scatter.
