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.