Police today detained two local Awami League leaders in Gaibandha while they were returning from the Shaheed Minar after paying tribute on International Mother Language Day and Martyrs' Day.

The detainees are Emarul Islam Sabin, industry and commerce secretary of the Gaibandha district unit of Awami League and former chairman of Ballamjhar Union Parishad, and Shahin Chakladar, acting general secretary of the Naldanga union Awami League in Sadullapur upazila, said police.

They were detained around 3:00pm in the Poura Park area after they were heard shouting "Joy Bangla", Abdullah Al Mamun, officer-in-charge (OC) of Gaibandha Sadar Police Station, confirmed to The Daily Star.

Witnesses and police said around 3:00pm, a group of 20-25 AL leaders and activists, including former Sadar Upazila Parishad chairman Aminuzzaman, brought out a flash procession from the district AL office at Rail Gate. After parading through the town, they placed wreaths at the Shaheed Minar.

As the group was returning to the party office chanting slogans, tension spread in the area. Police chased the procession, detaining Sabin and Shahin while others fled.

“The activities of the Awami League have been banned. Despite this, they brought out a procession. Therefore, the two were detained over concerns of disrupting public safety. Additionally, there are multiple cases pending against them,” OC Al Mamun told The Daily Star.

He added that the detainees have already been sent to court.