Politics
Panic grips capital city as AL and BNP flex muscles ahead of Saturday’s rallies
Tension gripped the capital city on Friday on the eve of Saturday’s do-or-die rallies called by the country’s arch political rivals – the ruling Awami League and the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Similar rallies have also been planned for Saturday by Jamaat-e-Islami and a host of other smaller opposition parties.
Thousands of law enforcers – police, Rab and other agencies – have been deployed in the capital city to prevent any possible violence during the rallies. Many are manning the check-posts set up in different parts of the city and its outskirts. Police were seen checking passengers on board buses bound for Dhaka. Entrances to the city are being manned by security forces.
The AL and the BNP have got permissions from Dhaka Metropolitan Police to hold their protests at their rdspective venues. Jamaat, however, did not get any go ahead from DMP.
Read: Fakhrul intends peaceful grand rally, warns govt against excesses
The BNP, Jamaat and other opposition groups demand that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina steps down, dissolve the parliament and hand over power to a non-partisan administration to oversee the upcoming national election and make it free and fair. The election is due first week of January. BNP also demands an unconditional release of its ailing chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
The government has rejected the opposition demand and vowed to go ahead with holding the polls citing constitutional obligation. It says the current constitution does not allow unelected individuals to run any interim government for holding the vote.
As the political standoff continued many AL leaders and activists gathered in front of the party’s office at Bangabandhu Avenue where its General Secretary Obaidul Quader warned BNP against creating any anarchy on Saturday.
Fakhrul intends peaceful grand rally, warns govt against excesses
Reaffirming that their grand rally will be held peacefully, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday urged people from all walks of life to participate in it, to send a message to Awami League to step down and hand over power to a neutral government.
Speaking at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, the BNP leader also warned that the government will be held responsible if it or the ruling party commirs any excesses or creates any obstacles to the rally.
Fakhrul also said they will wait until the last moment if needed, for permission to hold the rally at Nayapaltan and then make a decision in this regard.
“We want to hold a rally at Nayapaltan as we sent a letter to the DMP in this regard. We’ll hold this rally in a completely peaceful manner, he said.
The BNP leader said their party still did not get any letter from the DMP permitting the party to hold the programme at Nayapaltan. “We still hope that they (DMP) will not create any obstacles and they’ll help to remove all kinds of obstacles in the grand rally.”
He said the main objective of their rally is to mount pressure on the current regime to quit and hand over power to a non-partisan government. “We also want good sense to prevail upon the government to create a favourable atmosphere for a fair election by accepting our one-point demand.”
"The biggest thing is that there is no favourable environment for elections in the country,” the BNP secretary general said.
Replying to a question, he said the BNP does not fear of any violence as their party did similar programmes peacefully in the past.
Fakhrul, however, alleged that the ruling party leaders are making various provocative statements like taking to the streets with sticks.
He said the government is trying to hold the entire people hostage with its repressive policy and using the police administration.
Under the circumstances, he called upon the people from across the country to join the BNP rally to restore their voting rights, freedom of expression and their other democratic rights and establish a free and livable society and state.
“On behalf of BNP, we sincerely urge the people to come and join our grand rally on Saturday and to send out a message to the government to quit and not to stay in power anymore,” the BNP leader said.
He alleged that the government has turned the country into a failed state by destroying all state institutions and the economy and by resorting to plundering and siphoning off money abroad.
Fakhrul claimed that around 1,350 of their party’s leaders and activists were arrested in just for days from last Monday to 11 am Friday, centring its planned grand rally.
He also said at least 330 opposition leaders and activists were arrested in different parts of the country in the last 24 hours as of Friday 11am.
The BNP leader also said 18 ‘false cases’ were filed against the BNP leaders and activists during the period
Besides, he said 4,020 BNP leaders and activists were arrested while 28,570 were implicated in 418 cases and nine BNP leaders were sentenced to death and 90 others were sentenced to different terms since July 27 this year.
“Sheikh Hasina (Prime Minister) said in Brussels that there would be a very beautiful election as the government was creating a favourable environment for that election. But our leaders and workers are being arrested and their houses are being raided every night. The worst thing is that our leaders are being sentenced by using the judiciary,” Fakhrul said.
He said the government has turned the election system into a farce by resorting to serious repressive acts and establishing its control on the electoral process.
“Our position is clear that the people of this country will not accept any election without a neutral non-partisan government,” the BNP leader said.
He said the Awami League government has no intention to hold a truly participatory, impartial and acceptable election. “That is why they have created a reign of terror across the country to unilaterally conduct the election without the participation of the opposition parties. But people have woken up and taken to the streets this time to realise their demands and establish their rights.”
Fakhrul, on behalf of BNP, expressed solidarity with the movement of the readymade garments workers, demanding an increase in the minimum wages, urging owners to accept it.
Passengers suffer due to suspension of bus movement between Dhaka and Mymensingh ahead of BNP rally
Bus movement between Dhaka-Mymensingh has been suspended without any prior announcement since early Friday, causing immense suffering to commuters.
Stage prep underway at Baitul Mukkaram's South Gate for AL’s rally to deter BNP
However, transport owners and workers said they suspended bus movement fearing vandalism from previous experience.
Intra-district bus service remains as usual but the long-haul servicrsasuspended reportedly to foil BNP’s grand rally in Dhaka so that party leaders and workers can’t join.
BNP followers start gathering at Nayapaltan ahead of Saturday’s rally
Passengers alleged that they were bound to return home as no buses from the district town were leaving for Dhaka since early Friday.
A bus passenger named Plabon who came from nearby Netrokona said he had an emergency to go to Dhaka but couldn’t manage any bus. Finally he was forced to return home.
Another passenger from the district expressed his resentment over suspension of bus services, saying many people like him were bound to go back due to unavailability of the long-haul bus.
Mymensingh’s Mashkanda Bus Stand Manager Khorshed Alam said bus movement was suspended following directives from the bus owners who are not ready to take responsibility for vandalism.
He also said that the bus services may remain suspended tomorrow as well.
BNP’s rally must be held at Nayapaltan: Rizvi
Transport Owners Committee Secretary General Mahbubur Rahman said bus owners and workers suspended buses for the sake of security However, some buses are plying sporadically.
Stage prep underway at Baitul Mukkaram's South Gate for AL’s rally to deter BNP
The ruling Awami League is fully prepared to deter the BNP from any resort to violence from their much-anticipated rally tomorrow.
The organizers have started the work of preparing the stage at the South Gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque to make the ruling party's "peace and development" rally a success.
Visiting the rally area in the afternoon, UNB correspondent found a few number of supporters of the party around the stage.
BNP followers start gathering at Nayapaltan ahead of Saturday’s rally
Though the party is yet to get permission for its Saturday’s grand rally in the capital, the leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies started gathering in front of the party's Nayapaltan central office on Friday afternoon.
Many BNP leaders and activists who reached Dhaka from different parts of the country joined Jummah prayers in mosques around Nayapaltan. Even, many of them offered prayers on the streets at Nayapaltan.
After the Jummah prayers, they squatted on the street in front of the party office amid the presence of a huge number of law enforcers.
The opposition followers were seen chanting various anti-government slogans in front of the BNP office.
Talking to UNB, the BNP followers said they came to the rally venue in advance fearing obstruction on Saturday.
They said they want to hold the rally peacefully with the presence of thousands of people in a bid to send out a message to the government to step down and take steps for holding the next polls under the non-partisan administration.
The grand rally of BNP is scheduled to begin at 2pm on Saturday.
Earlier on October 18, the party announced the grand rally in the capital for October 28 to start the 'final phase' of action and programmes of the ongoing movement to topple the current regime, thus paving the way for holding the next election under a non-party neutral government.
On October 21, the party submitted a letter to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) office informing the police authorities that they want to hold the programme at Nayapaltan.
The party also informed Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Thursday that it is determined to hold the grand rally at Nayapaltan venue.
Later on Wednesday (Oct 26), DMP sent a letter to BNP seeking various information, including the two names of alternative venues to Nayapaltan, the expected number of people at the rally, its duration, where loud speaks would be installed and whether anyone from other parties would be present or not.
TIPS procedure on Khaleda successful: Fakhrul
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is doing fine as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, or TIPS procedure on her was completed successfully at Evercare Hospital, party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Friday.
“As you all know, three expert doctors arrived here from abroad. They were able to perform the (TIPS) procedure very successfully yesterday (Thursday) evening,” he said.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, Fakhrul said Khaleda has now been staying in the CCU of the Hospital.
Also read: US doctors insert TIPS to stop Khaleda’s water accretion, bleeding
“Doctors are talking to her…so far her condition is so good,” the BNP leader said.
Earlier on Thursday evening, the visiting three US specialist doctors conducted the special TIPS procedure on Khaleda, creating new connections between two blood vessels in her liver without any surgery, to stop water accretion in her stomach and chest, and bleeding in her liver.
The US doctors--Hamid Rabb, Christos Georgiades and James P. A. Hamilton from Johns Hopkins University's School of Medicine-- decided to complete the TIPS procedure on Khaleda after assessing her health and medical test reports.
Also read: US doctors visit BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, examine reports
A TIPS is a procedure that involves inserting a stent (tube) to connect the portal veins to adjacent blood vessels that have lower pressure. This relieves the high blood pressure in the portal vein (called portal hypertension) that often occurs in the setting of liver cirrhosis.
On Wednesday, Dr Rabb, and Dr Hamilton reached Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 7:15 pm. Another physician Georgiades arrived at the airport around 2 a.m. on Thursday.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been undergoing treatment at the Evercare Hospital in Dhaka since August 9. The 78-year-old former prime minister has been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, heart, and eye problems.
On October 9, the BNP chief’s medical board at Evercare Hospital said the former prime minister’s life is at risk because of a lack of proper treatment to stop water accretion in her stomach and chest, internal bleeding and infections caused by her liver cirrhosis problem.
Also read: Two doctors from US arrive to assist in Khaleda Zia’s treatment
US doctors insert TIPS to stop Khaleda’s water accretion, bleeding
The visiting three US specialist doctors on Thursday completed the special transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS procedure) to stop water accretion in Khaleda Zia’s stomach and chest, and bleeding in her liver.
“The American doctors started the procedure of placing TIPS around 5:30pm at Evercare Hospital. The intervention ended at around 7:30 pm,” a member of Khaleda Zia’s medical board told UNB wishing anonymity.
He said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and some family members of Khaleda were present at the hospital during the TIPS intervention by the doctors.
The physician said Khaleda was kept in the CCU of the hospital after the completion of the TIPS placement procedure.
Read: US doctors visit BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, examine reports
He said the US doctors--Hamid Rabb, Christos Georgiades and James P. A. Hamilton from Johns Hopkins University's School of Medicine--went to the hospital around 1:30 pm and had a meeting with the BNP chief’s medical board members.
After assessing Khaleda’s health condition and test reports, they decided to complete the TIPS procedure.
TIPS is a procedure that involves inserting a stent (tube) to connect the portal veins to adjacent blood vessels that have lower pressure. This relieves the pressure of blood flowing through the diseased liver and can help stop bleeding and fluid backup.
A TIPS also relieves the high blood pressure in the portal vein (called portal hypertension) that often occurs in the setting of liver cirrhosis.
Read: Two doctors from US arrive to assist in Khaleda Zia’s treatment
On Wednesday, Dr Hamid Rabb, and Dr James P. A. Hamilton reached Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 7:15 pm. Another physician Christos Georgiades arrived at the airport around 2 a.m. on Thursday.
The BNP chairperson’s family brought the three doctors---who are experts in various departments such as nephrology, hepatology, international radiology and liver-kidney transplant--from the USA after a discussion with the medical board at the Evercare Hospital.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been undergoing treatment at the Evercare Hospital in Dhaka since August 9. The 78-year-old former prime minister has been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, heart, and eye problems.
On October 9, the BNP chief’s medical board at Evercare Hospital recommended that she be urgently sent to a multidisciplinary centre abroad soon as there were no treatment options available for her in Bangladesh.
Speaking at a press conference at the hospital, the board also said the former prime minister’s life is at risk because of a lack of proper treatment to stop water accretion in her stomach and chest, internal bleeding and infections caused by her liver cirrhosis problem.
1,200 BNP leaders, workers arrested in 3 days ahead of Dhaka rally: Rizvi
BNP on Thursday claimed that around 1,200 of their party’s leaders and activists were arrested in just three days from last Monday, centring its planned October 28th grand rally.
Speaking at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, its senior joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also said 330 opposition leaders and activists were arrested in different parts of the country in the last 24 hours as of Thursday at 8:30pm.
He also said 16 ‘false cases’ were filed against the BNP leaders and activists during the period.
The BNP leader said the government has intensified the level of its repression ahead of the BNP’s grand rally. “The BNP leaders and activists and the democracy-loving people now can’t stay in their houses in the face of the arrest and repression. It’s an unprecedented and awful situation.”
He said the opposition leaders and activists cannot stay in their houses in an independent country in fear of arrest and harassment by police.
“We’re getting information about arrests from across the country. Those who are coming out of jail on bail are being re-arrested. It’s an anarchic situation,” Rizvi said.
He said people are committed to taking to the streets on October 28 braving all obstacles and repression to get back their democratic rights and restore democracy.
Earlier at a press conference, Rizvi said their party has informed Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) police that it is determined to hold the grand rally at Nayapaltan venue.
"They (DMP) wanted to know whether we would hold the rally at any other alternative venue. We have clearly informed them that our venue will be in front of this party office (Nayapaltan),” he said.
Speaking at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, Rizvi reiterated that their rally will be held in a peaceful manner.
“Our party’s organisational leaders concerned are working day and night to make this rally a success. We’re carrying campaigns as per the democratic norms to organise the people and bring them to the rally,” he said.
Earlier on Wednesday, DMP sent a letter to BNP seeking various information, including the two names of alternative venues to Nayapaltan, the expected number of people at the rally, its duration, where loud speaks would be installed and whether anyone from other parties would be present or not.
In response, BNP also sent a letter saying it is not possible for the party to arrange the rally at any other venue as they have already completed all preparations to hold it at Nayapaltan.
The party also said 100,000 to 125,000 people may participate in the rally and no leaders and activists from other parties will be there too, at Nayapaltan during the programme.
BNP also informed the DMP that the rally will formally begin at 2pm while the party’s 500 volunteers will be deployed to maintain internal discipline.
Rizvi said they have been repeatedly saying their rally will be held in a peaceful manner, but the government is trying to incite violence.
“They’re issuing the threats of conflict and violence. They announced to carry sticks on the day (Saturday). They (AL leaders) said yesterday (Wednesday) and their general secretary said a few days ago that the consequences will be even more dire than Shapla Chattar. They’re threatening to hit people and to push people to death by hitting,” he said.
Despite that, the BNP leader said they are moving ahead with their plan to hold the rally peacefully following the normal democratic process.
He said the government has been arresting 100-200 BNP leaders and activists every day ahead of the rally though they are not indulging in any unruly and unlawful activities.
GM Quader supports RMG workers’ deamnd for minimum wage of Tk 23,000
Jatiya Party Chairman Ghulam Muhammad (GM) Quader on Thursday expressed his solidarity with the ongoing movement by readymade garment (RMG) workers to fix minimum wage of Tk 23,000 from Tk 8,000.
Claiming the movement to increase the wage as rational, he called upon the authorities to meet the demand by the workers.
GM Quader, also deputy leader from the opposition party, said this in a statement signed by the party’s Press Secretary-2 Khandaker Delowar Jalali.
Read: RMG workers block road in Gazipur demanding salary hike for 3rd consecutive day
The workers, who play a pivotal role in earning foreign currency, have to lead the worst life without humanity, he said.
Addressing the role of the RMG workers in the advancement of the country, the opposition leader said the workers are being subjected to discrimination in the civilised society.
At the outset of the RMG industry, the workers were paid a trivial honourium, later their minimum salary was fixed Tk 5,300 against their demand for Tk 16,000 following a movement in 2013, he said.
Read: RMG workers block road in Gazipur demanding salary hike
Similarly, an amount of Tk 8,000 was assessed as minimum salary during the 2018-movement which was effective from Pohela Boishakh in 2019.
Expressing his solidarity with the movement, GM Quader said it is impossible to lead life with Tk 8,000 in the days of price hikes.
Referring to an outcome of a research conducted by Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) that a four-member family needs Tk 22,421 to survive a month, he said, adding that the movement to fix minimum wage of Tk 23,000 will have to be accepted on humanitarian ground.
The Jatiya Party chairman urged all to behave generously with the RMG workers.
Read more: 6 RMG workers dead after bus runs them over on highway in Trishal
Whether conditions favourable or not, election to go ahead: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Thursday said that the election will be held even if the environment is not favorable.
"We want to hold the election as an organizer. The expectation was there from the beginning, but the environment has not yet become favorable for elections. But that doesn't mean I won't hold the poll."
EC solicits international observers for 12th parliamentary elections
The CEC made this comment at a workshop titled “Twelfth national general elections: role of media, expectations of the Nation” with media editors at the election building.
Awal said that the Election Commission wants the political environment to become favorable. EC is sincere in solving any crisis.
Calling on the political parties to solve the problem and said that the political parties may have their own strategy. “We will not interfere in it,” he added.
Election won’t stop for any political party: Quader
Almost everyone questioned the CEC's statement about the environment not being conducive. Editors say this is contradictory. Because on the one hand preparations are being made for the election, on the other hand such statements have been made. This creates fear among the parties.
In this context CEC said “I can type myself. Therefore, there may be some mistakes. What I said there, I said very sincerely. I have been seeing obstacles since the first day I took charge.”
He said their field is not very smooth. That is why they had appealed to make the election environment more favorable.
People anxious whether next election would be 'acceptable': GM Quader
The CEC also said that the language may have gone wrong. I can still say personally, the atmosphere is not entirely favorable. “But it does not mean that I will not arrange for the voting. I will continue to sail the boat no matter whether the environment is in my favour or not.”
Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd.) Ahsan Habib Khan, Begum Rasheda Sultana, Md. Alamgir along with senior EC officials, editor of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam, editor of Bangladesh Pratidin Naem Nizam, editor of Dainik Jugantor Saiful Alam, chief news editor of ATN Bangla J.E. Mamun, Channel I Chief News Editor Zahid Nawaz Khan, News24 TV Executive Editor Rahul Raha and Channel 24 TV Executive Director Talat Mahmood were present.