A torch procession allegedly organized by the banned Awami League in Shahjahanpur, Bogura, has drawn attention amid the ongoing nationwide Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2. The event’s video was posted late on December 16 by Sohrab Hossain Channu, former upazila chairman and local Awami League president, on his verified Facebook account. He claimed the march protested against what he called an illegal election schedule and arbitrary arrests.
Local police, however, denied that any such procession took place recently. Shahjahanpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Touhidul Islam stated that after reviewing the video, investigators suspected it might have been recorded earlier and only uploaded now. The timing of the post, during a period of heightened security operations, has raised questions about political messaging and enforcement consistency.
The incident underscores tensions between authorities and banned political groups during the ongoing crackdown. Observers note that such digital postings could complicate law enforcement efforts and fuel further political polarization in the pre-election climate.