After losing power on August 5, Awami League leaders and activists at all levels took cover.  After that many of the Awami League leaders of Greater Sylhet started fleeing to the neighboring country India.  Many managed to enter India after several attempts.  Those who had visas of other countries in their passports later started trying to travel from India to other destinations.  Especially those who had visa affixed on their British passport or domestic passport left India for UK.  Already, about two dozen leaders of Sylhet have migrated to the UK.  Others have gone to the United States and various countries in the Middle East.  Many are looking for ways to stay in India for the long term. 

According to sources, on the afternoon of the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government, several leaders of Awami League and Chhatra League crossed over to India through Tamabil border in Sylhet.  Later, as it became dangerous to go to India legally after immigration, hundreds of leaders and activists of Awami League and its affiliates went to India illegally through different borders of Goainghat, Companyganj and Kanighat in Sylhet.  Smugglers from both sides help them cross the border.  They crossed the border and crossed the long hilly road to reach Shillong, the capital of the Indian state of Meghalaya.  They stayed there by renting a few hotels and guest houses near Police Bazar in Shillong.  A number of Awami League leaders who entered India through other borders of the country met with Sylhet leaders in Shillong.  There is also a presidium member of Awami League. 

Although they first took refuge in Shillong, later many of the Awami League leaders prepared to leave India.  As many leaders hold British passports and some have visas in their passports, they migrate to the UK as a safe haven. 

Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury, the removed mayor of Sylhet City Corporation, reached the UK first through India. Then came Habibur Rahman Habib, the former Member of Parliament of Sylhet-3 Constituency.  Both are British citizens.  After that, those who arrived in the UK from various destinations including India include former Minister of State for Expatriate Welfare and Foreign Employment and District Awami League President Shafiqur Rahman Chowdhury, Sylhet District Awami League Organizing Secretary and former Member of Parliament of Sunamganj-1 Ranjit Sarkar, Metropolitan Awami League Joint General secretary Bidhan Kumar Saha.

Besides came to the UK 

Information and Research Secretary of District Awami League Mobasvir Ali, Member of District Awami League Shahidur Rahman Chowdhury Javed, General Secretary of Metropolitan Jubo League Mushfiq Jaigirdar, Former Organizing Secretary MA Hannan, Former President of Metropolitan Chhatra League Rahat Tarafdar, Former Chairman of Dakshin Surma Upazila Parishad Abu Zahir, Golapganj Municipality.  Mayor Aminul Islam Rabel, UK Jubo League leader Ruhul Amin aka Shiblu, Bagha UP Chairman Abdus Samad, Jubo League leader Sams Uddin.  Besides, Abdul Alim Tushar, general secretary of the Metropolitan Chhatra League, has migrated to Canada.  Mahanagar Chhatra League President Kishwar Jahan Sourav arrived  via Dubai, General Secretary of Dakshin Surma Upazila Awami League Badrul Islam went to United States via United Kingdom.  District Awami League member and Golapganj Upazila Parishad Chairman Manjur Shafi Elim Chowdhury is staying in the United States.  Emdad Rahman, vice-president of the Metropolitan Volunteer League, is currently staying in Dubai.

Besides, those who are still staying in India include - Awami League Central Organizing Secretary and former Member of Parliament Shafiul Alam Chowdhury Nadel, District Branch General Secretary Advocate Nasir Uddin Khan, Metropolitan Joint General Secretary Azadur Rahman Azad and others.

According to sources, those who are stuck in India due to lack of visas from other countries are in trouble.  As their return to the country is uncertain, they are thinking about staying in India for a long time.  They are planning how to stay in India legally or illegally for a long time.  They are trying to establish themselves in India considering the relatively low cost, security and the convenience of keeping in touch with the leaders and activists of the country.  Some leaders have already visited Calcutta from Shillong.  According to sources, the Awami League and its affiliates are interested in choosing Shillong for their long-term location as Sylhet is near the border.

 Among the leaders who are in the UK, except the former mayor of Sylhet City, Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury, the rest are still not active on social media.