Many leaders and activists of Bangladesh’s banned Awami League are living in Kolkata and surrounding areas of India’s West Bengal, according to a BBC Bangla report cited by Amar Desh. The report said at least 70 people include presidium members, former members of parliament and senior leaders of affiliated organisations. It said they travelled to India at different times, particularly after August 2024.

The report also said mid-level and local-level party activists are present, along with about 40 police officers of various ranks. At one point, nearly 70 former lawmakers alone were staying in the area. Including senior affiliated-organisation figures, district-level leaders, police and army officers, around 200 people were said to have been living in and around Kolkata.

Awami League sources said the number of grassroots and mid-level leaders in Kolkata, Siliguri and Tripura had at one time exceeded 1,000. Many who went to India later moved to countries in Europe, America and Southeast Asia, according to the sources. Several people who spoke to BBC Bangla said they continued party activities from abroad, including maintaining online communication. Sheikh Hasina said she wants to return to Bangladesh by December.