Police have arrested 12 leaders and activists of the Awami League on charges of planning to carry out sabotage activities during the Victory Day celebrations in Gazipur.

A court in Gazipur sent them to jail this afternoon after Solaiman Molla, president of the BNP's Kapasia Durgapur union, filed a case against them with Kapasia Police Station last night, said Md Kamal Hossain, officer-in-charge of Kapasia Police Station.

In the case, the plaintiff named 59 individuals, the OC said.

Quoting locals, the OC said the suspects were planning to carry out sabotage activities in the isolated Dhadhar Char area around 2:30pm yesterday. They were detained by local residents and later handed over to police. Later, the BNP leader filed the case against them.

The arrested individuals include Afzal Hossain alias Rinkon, 30, of Ghagtia Union, former organising secretary of Upazila Chhatra League; Maruf, 25, from the same village and vice-president of Ward No. 4 Jubo League; Abul Kalam Azad, 45, a member of Ward 6 AL; Ilias Ahmed, 45, from Khirati village and social welfare secretary of Ghagtia Union Awami League; Lokman Molla, 42, from Saldai village and member of the Union Awami League; Rashedul Alam, 44, a member of Ward No. 7 Awami League; Sharif, 41, a member of the advisory board of Ghagtia Union Awami League; Abdur Rahim Molla, 46, a member of Union Awami League; Shamsul Alam, 52, from Khirati village and member of Union Awami League; Ataur Rahman, 42, member of Ward No. 6 Awami League; Jihad, 24; and Dulal Mia, 22.

The plot was allegedly led by Harun Or Rashid, also known as Hiron Molla, the absconding chairman of Ghagtia Union Parishad and general secretary of the Awami League in the same union.

Despite repeated attempts, Solaiman, the plaintiff, could not be reached for comment.