Lal Bahini

Lal Bahini (Bengali: লাল বাহিনী, lit. 'Red Army'), was the paramilitary wing of the Awami League's trade union, Bangladesh Jatiya Sramik League, that was active from 1972 to 1975 until the Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975. Lal Bahini was headed by Bangladesh Jatiya Sramik League president Abdul Mannan. The force was basically a vanguard of the then Bangladesh Awami League and was used to suppress uprising among the workers.

The actual date of the formation of the force is unknown. This wing of Bangladesh Jatiya Sramik League was never recognized by the government as an official force, but in a public speech, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman called them his Red Horses.

Lal Bahini was dreaded for its ruthlessness in suppressing labor protests in the industrial areas of the country including Tejgaon, Tongi, Adamjee, Kalurghat etc. as well as for fueling riots in the industrial areas. Lal Bahini, Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini and Shecchashebak Bahini formed an unholy nexus during the Sheikh Mujib regime. Lal Bahini is responsible for hundreds of riots that took place in three years that claimed thousands of lives.