DMP
Crowds converging on Golapbagh field for Saturday’s BNP rally
Thousands of BNP leaders and activists started gathering at Golapbagh ground in Dhaka since Friday afternoon as the party was finally given permission for holding its last divisional rally there on Saturday.
By the evening on Friday, thousands reached the venue in advance to join the anti-government rally that will formally begin at 11 am.
People were seen coming to Golapbagh field with small processions from different parts of the city chanting anti-government slogans.
BNP Dhaka city unit member secretary Aminul Haque said they will set up the stage and make all other arrangements, including setting up loudspeakers, overnight.
He said lakhs of people will join the rally to make it a huge success.
Read more: Join Dhaka rally spontaneously to reply to govt’s ill-motive, says Khandaker Mosharraf
Earlier on Friday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq and a team from Rapid Action Battalion-10 visited the venue.
Meanwhile, BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain at a press conference called upon the Dhaka city dwellers to spontaneously join their party’s rally in Golapbagh ground peacefully to give the government a befitting reply to its efforts to foil a democratic programme.
“We will hold the programme in Dhaka peacefully as we did in nine other divisional cities. We call upon people from all walks of life to participate in our programme spontaneously,” said Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, a former cabinet minister and the most senior member of the BNP's standing committee.
Dec 10 Rally Venue: DMP expected to inform BNP by tomorrow
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) authorities are likely to inform the main opposition BNP whether they will allow the party to hold its much-talked-about rally in the capital on December 10 at any venue other than Suhrawardy Udyan.
A five-member delegation of BNP met Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq around 4pm on Sunday and urged him to either allow their party to have the programme in front of their Nayapaltan central office, or any venue other than Suhrawardy Udyan.
"We told the DMP commissioner that we would not hold our rally at Suhrawardy Udyan. We urge him to allow us to arrange the rally at Nayapaltan and we’ll take all responsibility to end the programme peacefully,” BNP publicity affairs secretary Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee told UNB after the meeting.
Read: BNP leader Ishraque comes under attack by BCL in city
He said they also called upon the DMP boss to give them permission to hold the programme at any other suitable alternative venue, if they are unable to allow it at Nayapaltan.
“The DMP commissioner said they will inform us about their decision tomorrow (Monday)," Anee said.BNP Dhaka North City Unit Convenor Amanullah Aman said their rally can be held at any venue other than Suhrawardy Udyan. He said police in discussion with BNP leader Anee will settle the venue.
The other BNP delegation members were the party’s Dhaka South City unit Convener Abdus Salam, joint secretary general Sayed Moazzem Hossain Alal and organizing secretary Abdus Salm Azad.
This was the second meeting between the BNP leaders and the DMP boss, over permission for the party’s December 10 rally in the city.
Another BNP delegation met the DMP Commissioner on November 15 and sought permission to organise the rally in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office.
Earlier in the day, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said they will consider it if the government offers them to have the programme at any suitable venue other than Suhrawardy Udyan.
Read: No to Suhrawardy Udyan, but BNP will consider other rally venue suggestions from govt: Fakhrul
Speaking at an impromptu press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, the BNP leader also accused the government of unnecessarily creating complications over a peaceful democratic programme.
On November 29, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) permitted BNP to hold its rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on December 10 on 26 conditions. But the party turned down it saying it sought permission to hold the programme at Nayapaltan, not Suhrawardy Udyan.
On September 27, BNP announced a series of public rallies in 10 divisional cities. The party will conclude the divisional programmes by holding its last rally in Dhaka on December 10.
The BNP has long been demanding that the next general election be held under a caretaker government, not under any political government--a demand sharply rejected by the ruling Awami League as the constitution does not contain any such provision.
DMP gives BNP 26 conditions for holding Dec 10 rally at Dhaka's Suhrawardy Udyan
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Tuesday permitted BNP to hold its rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on December 10 on 26 conditions.
A notification was issued in this regard from the DMP headquarters, signed by Deputy Police Commissioner (Headquarters and Admin) Abdul Momen, on behalf of the DMP commissioner.
Following BNP’s application, DMP permitted the party to hold the rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in Shahbagh instead of Nayapaltan, as it may cause traffic jam and public suffering.
BNP can hold the rally at the venue from 12pm to 4:30pm on December 10, according to the notification.
READ: People to give fitting reply to govt’s repressive acts through movement: Fakhrul
BNP has to seek permission from the authorities concerned for using the venue, mentioning the 26 conditions, as only DMP permission is not enough for this purpose, it said.
Anti-state activities and statements at the rally venue are prohibited, read the conditions.
Besides, no propaganda or leaflet distribution will be allowed, and no procession can be brought out from the venue.
All security measures, including installing CCTV cameras, vehicle scanners and metal detectors at the venue should be taken by the party.
An adequate number of volunteers (with visible ID cards) should be deployed at the venue under the party’s own management.
The party will be responsible if the law and order situation deteriorates at the rally, said the DMP notification.
All activities of the rally should be kept inside the venue and completed by the timeframe.
If BNP fails to comply with any of the conditions, the permission will be cancelled immediately, DMP said in the notification.
Contacted, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said they received the DMP's letter regarding the permission. “But we’ll arrange the rally in front of our party office at Nayapaltan.”
BNP publicity affairs secretary Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anne told UNB that their party did not seek permission to hold the rally at Suhrawardy Udyan.
“We sought permission to hold the rally at Nayapaltan, not at Suhrawardy Udyan. Our party is determined to hold the rally at Nayapaltan as per our previous decision,” he said.
Anne, however, said BNP standing committee will take final decision in this regard after considering the overall situation.
Earlier on November 15, a BNP delegation met DMP Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq and sought permission to hold their much-talked-about Dhaka rally in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office on December 10.
READ: Strict action if anyone creates anarchy: Information Minister
The DMP Commissioner, however, asked BNP to give names of other venue options.
As part of their ongoing movement, BNP on September 27 announced a series of public rallies in 10 divisional cities to denounce the price hike of daily essentials and fuels, the death of five party men in previous police action in Bhola, Narayanganj, Munshiganj and Jashore, and to ensure the freedom of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
BNP has already arranged rallies in Chattogram, Mymensingh, Khulna, Rangpur, Barishal, Faridpur, Sylhet and Cumilla braving various obstacles and transport strikes.
BNP has long been demanding that the next general election be held under a caretaker government, not under any political government — a demand sharply rejected by the ruling Awami League as the constitution does not allow it to happen.
BNP will conclude the divisional rallies through a mass gathering in Dhaka city on December 10, coinciding with International Human Rights Day.
Escape of militants from court premises: CTTC arrests 1
Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) Unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Wednesday arrested one of the alleged militants who was involved in snatching two convicted militants from police custody on the Dhaka court premises, officials said.
The arrestee was identified as Mehdi Hasan Omi alias Rafi (24). Rafi is the accused in the case, which was filed with Kotwali police station in connection with the incident.
Read more: Mastermind behind militant escape from custody identified: CTTC Chief
Two death row convicts in publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan murder case -- Md Abu Siddique Sohel alias Sakib alias Sajid alias Shahab and Moinul Hasan Shamim alias Samir alias Sifat alias Imran-- and also members of the banned militant group Ansar al-Islam, were brought to a Dhaka court on Monday. After producing them before a magistrate, police were taking them back to the lock-up when some of their accomplices emerged out of nowhere, used pepper spray on the police and snatched the militants away.
Based on secret information, a team of the CTTC unit arrested Mehdi Hasan Omi alias Rafi. He is a member of the military wing of Ansar al-Islam.
Read more: 2 militants who escaped from Dhaka court will be arrested any time soon: DB Chief
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Media and Public Relations Department under the DMP Farooq Hossain said that the arrested militant Mehdi Hasan had directly participated in the incident of militant snatching.
However, he did not disclose from where and when he was arrested.
Police filed a case against 20 people, including the two death row convicts in the Dipan murder case with Kotwali police station after Sunday’s incident.
DMP to decide venue for BNP's Dec 10 rally: Home Minister
The venue of BNP's divisional rally scheduled to be held in Dhaka on December 10 will be decided by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said.
The minister said this while talking to journalists at his Secretariat on Sunday (November 20).
BNP is a political party, so its leaders and activists definitely know the procedures and we hope they hold the meeting by maintaining law and order. If they break the law or destroy properties, the security forces will take action, added the minister.
Read: After 7 successful rallies, Fakhrul declares: ‘No election in Bangladesh without caretaker govt’
"When asked if the government would give permission if the BNP wants to hold a rally in front of the party office, he said, ' BNP wants to gather 25 lakh people at one place. Don't know where they will go? Can you imagine what will happen when 25 lakh people gather somewhere? We have asked the Commissioner (DMP Commissioner) to determine if there is such a big field somewhere in Dhaka and give them permission to hold a meeting there."
"Since we are not obstructing political activities, if they organise such a programme, they should do so in a place where so many people can stand," the minister said.
The minister said, 'He (DMP Commissioner) should find such a place where so many people can gather. So, he will make arrangements wherever the commissioner wants.
Police ban public movement within 200 yards of HSC test centres
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed a ban on the movement of anyone except Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) students and exam officials, within 200 yards of test centres in the capital.
The DMP announced the new step in a statement Thursday. The HSC and equivalent exams are scheduled to begin on November 6.
More than 12.03 lakh students are expected to sit for the exams at 2,649 centres, from 9,181 institutions under 11 education boards.
Read more: No SSC question paper leaked, Dinajpur incident regrettable: Dipu Moni
The public will be completely barred from travelling within 200 yards of test centres to ensure "proper and lawful" exams, according to DMP Commissioner Khandker Gulam Faruq.
The order will remain in force until the end of the exams.
Police to cooperate if no criminal offence committed centring political events: DMP chief
Newly appointed Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq on Monday said that police are not concerned about political programmes, but if criminal offences are committed in the name of political events, action will be taken accordingly.
“Political programmes are not police’s headache. Our work is to maintain law and order. Arranging meetings or processions are parties’ political right,” he said.
The DMP Commissioner came up with the remarks while responding to reporters during “Commissioner’s Meet the Press” at DMP media centre on Monday. This was the first programme the commissioner organised after he took over on October 29.
If someone vandalizes or sets a car on fire or blocks the road in the name of political programme, these will be considered criminal offences, he added.
The DMP chief also said that as long as no criminal offences are committed centring political programmes, police will cooperate, the DMP Commissioner said.
Read: High Court asks why DMP authority to ban rallies not illegal
Regarding traffic congestion in Dhaka city, the police commissioner said that Dhaka was not developed in a planned way and several mega projects are underway in the capital which are the reasons behind the traffic jams. “We are working on reducing traffic jams,” he said.
Besides, work will be done to prevent illegal parking on roads, he added.
Responding to another question over controlling drug abuse, the DMP Commissioner said it cannot be stopped by simply cutting the supply, demand needs to go down as well.
The new police commissioner also stressed the need for controlling cyber crimes on a priority basis.
High Court asks why DMP authority to ban rallies not illegal
The High Court (HC) today (October 30, 2022) issued a rule, asking why the provision empowering the police commissioner to ban rallies or meetings in the Dhaka metropolitan area should not be declared illegal and unconstitutional.
The HC bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Kazi Md Ejarul Haque Akondo passed the order following a writ petition.
Four people, including the law ministry secretary, home ministry secretary, and Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner were made respondents to the rule.
Read more: HC issues rule on ethics code for news media
Advocate Abdul Momen Chowdhury appeared for the writ petitioner in the court. Attorney General AM Amin Uddin and Deputy Attorney General Arobinda Kumar Roy represented the state.
On October 20, Supreme Court lawyers Abdul Momen Chowdhury and KM Zabir, Chandpur Bar Association lawyer Selim Akbar, and two individuals Shah Nuruzzaman and Mohammad Yasin filed the writ petition challenging Section 29 of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance 1976.
Section 29 states that the police commissioner may prohibit any public gathering or procession whenever needed and for the period that he/she considers necessary through written order for the maintenance of peace or public safety. But no such prohibition shall remain in force for more than 30 days without permission of the government.
Read More: BNP rally begins defying transport strike in Rangpur
Lawyer Abdul Momen Chowdhury said Section 29 of the ordinance conflicts with Article 37 of the constitution and goes against fundamental rights.
Meanwhile, the state counsels said public gatherings are not always prohibited by police, except when there is any possibility of chaos. If two political parties call rallies at the same venue, there might be chaos.
Traffic alert: DMP requests Dhaka commuters to avoid Khilkhet-Uttara-Gazipur route
Dhaka Metropolitan Police have requested commuters to avoid the route from Khilkhet through Uttara to Gazipur today (October 25, 2022), due to a long tailback.
Uttara Traffic Department of Dhaka Metropolitan Police issued an alert, saying that heavy rains induced by the Cyclone Sitrang has caused waterlogging at different points in Gazipur on Dhaka-Mymensingh road.
Read Dhaka office-goers stuck in gridlock, traffic jam from Khilkhet to Abdullahpur
Due to the big holes in the road and waterlogging, vehicle movement from Khilkhet through Uttara to Mohakhali has been seriously disrupted, it said.
In this situation, commuters are requested to not use the Khilkhet-Uttara-Gazipur route unless urgent.
Security to be stepped up for National Mourning programmes Monday: DMP
Police have no specific information about any plan to sabotage the observance of National Mourning programme on Monday to mark the anniversary of the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with most of his family members on August 15, 1975, said Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam on Sunday.
A special security ring will, however, be thrown around the Bangabandhu Memorial Musuem at Dhanmandi-32, which will be visited by President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Cabinet members to pay homage to Bangabandhu, said the DMP chief.
Special security will be mounted as the prime minister has high security risk, he said.
Also read: Nation set to observe National Mourning Day Monday
“In the past several attempts were made to assassinate the prime minister. So she is at security risk in any public gatherings and we have to keep that in mind,” he said while checking the security measures at Dhanmondi-32.
Though there is no specific security threat ahead of the National Mourning Day, mourners have to pass through multi-tier security cordon, said the DMP boss.
Alongside the CCTV, bomb disposal unit, DB police, Counter Terrorism Unit, SWAT team will remain there to ensure security in the area. Movement of transport in the area will be restricted.
Also read: AL to occupy streets in September as August mourning ends: Hasan