Thousands of law enforcers from police, Rab and other agencies were deployed in the capital city on Friday ahead of rallies planned by rival political parties, the ruling Awami League, opposition BNP, Jamaat and other groups on Saturday.
On Friday, the law enforcers set up check-posts and conducted street patrols in different parts of the city, especially the central Dhaka where the rallies are planned. The city outskirts have also been put under security steps.
The main opposition BNP has vowed to go ahead with its rally in front the party’s Naya Paltan office. The ruling Awami League will hold a counter rally at the south gate of Baitul Mukurram Mosque in the afternoon concinciding with BNP rally. Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh has planned its rally at Shapla Chattor.
BNP has called for the grand rally to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to pave the way for a neutral caretaker administration to supervise the upcoming national election, due in first week of January. It also wants an unconditional release of the party’s ailing chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The opposition party has promised to make its rally peaceful.
Thousands of BNP leaders and activists started pouring into Naya Palton on Friday, a day before their grand rally. They said they arrived early fearing that law enforcers may block their journey on Saturday.
Read: BNP openly threatening with violence: Quader
Accusing the BNP of trying to create anarchy before the polls the Awami League has vowed to resist it. The call their programme as peace rally.
Jamaat is also demanding the resignation of the government for creating an environment conducive to holding free and fair election.
Determined to prevent any violence the law enforcement agencies on Friday mounted all out security measures in the capital for Saturday’s political programmes. Police permission has been given to none of the parties.
Though ruling Bangladesh Awami League has sought permission to hold rally at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, BNP in front of their party office at Naya Paltan, Ganatantra Mancha at Matsya Bhaban and the 12-party alliance in the Bijaynagar area on the day, Dhaka Metropolitan police (DMP) is yet to give permission formally till filing of this report at 4:30 pm.
Though Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami sought permission to hold a rally at Shapla Chattor in Motijheel but the DMP has already denied permission to the party.
Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operation) of the DMP headquarters Khandker Mahid Uddin told reporters that though Zamaat-e-Islami have submitted an application for permission but a political party like Jamaat will not be allowed in places like Shapla Chattor to hold any rally.
But Jamaat-e-Islami in a virtual press conference on Thursday afternoon reiterated that it would hold its scheduled rally at Shapla Chattar. Jamaat acting amir Mujibur Rahman asked the party leaders and activists not to be misguided by what he said the "provocative, undemocratic and unconstitutional" directives by the government.
Read: BNP fighting to destroy democracy, not protect it: Quader
