The Golapbagh field in Dhaka is now teeming with several thousand leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies today.
The venue is full to the brim while the surrounding areas are also crowded.
Law enforcers are on high alert to avert any kind of untoward incident centering the BNP rally.
Since morning, BNP leaders and activists have been thronging the Golapbagh field with small processions from different parts of Dhaka, shouting anti-government slogans.
Thousands of BNP leaders and activists reached the rally venue in advance on Friday after getting permission from Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).
They started to set up the stage and make all other arrangements. The rally is scheduled to begin at 11 am.
Law enforcers have taken adequate measures to maintain the law and order situation in and around the city, centering the BNP rally, and check-posts have been set up at all entry points of Dhaka.
Some 32,000 police have been deployed in the city to maintain law and order. Additional Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Hafiz Akter, said, “A huge number of law enforcement personnel have been deployed in the city. Alongside, tight security is being ensured at key point installations. Police have strengthened their surveillance so that no one can create any chaos. It is hoped that the BNP rally will be held peacefully.”
Also read: BNP set to hold rally in Dhaka to start simultaneous anti-govt movement
Alongside police and Rab, Ansar members have also been deployed in different parts of the city to avert any untoward incident over the rally. A total of 4,000 Ansar members have been deployed in the capital ahead of BNP's rally, said Md Kamrul Islam, director (Operations) of Ansar VDP.
Meanwhile, no buses, trucks and other vehicles were seen plying on the road while a few CNG-run auto-rickshaws and rickshaws were seen.
BNP wanted to hold the rally at Nayapaltan in front of its central office, but the government first gave the party permission to arrange the programme at Suhrawardy Udyan. BNP, however, refused to hold the rally there.
Also read: BNP leaders, activists gathering at Golapbagh field for today’s rally
The rally in Dhaka city will be the 10th at the divisional level as nine others were held in Rajshahi, Chattogram, Mymensingh, Khulna, Rangpur, Barishal, Faridpur, Sylhet and Cumilla.