Additional Commissioner of Detective Branch (DB) Harun-or-Rashid has said that some BNP activists attacked police in front of the Judges' Residence Complex in Dhaka’s Kakrail earlier today (October 28, 2023).  “Some policemen were injured. Furthermore, they carried out an attack, vandalised and set some vehicles on fire in front of IDB Bhaban at Kakrail,” he said while talking with reporters in front of Kakrail Church.  Currently, BGB members are deployed at Kakrail Church crossing. He said police have video footage of the incidents. “We will identify those involved and take appropriate action,” he said. Police, BNP men clash in Dhaka’s Kakrail area, police box set on fire The BNP activists who were engaged in violence escaped the scene, and the situation is now under control, he added. Earlier, a chase and counter-chase between police and BNP leaders, activists occurred in Dhaka’s Kakrail area. Witnesses said leaders and activists of BNP brought out a procession in the Kakrail area and started going towards InterContinental hotel around 1 pm. At one stage, police obstructed them, and BNP leaders, activists started throwing brick chips at the law enforcers. More than 50 detained in extensive search operations at Dhaka’s entry points Later, police fired rubber bullets, used sound grenades and tear gas shells to disperse them. The grand rally of BNP has begun in front of its Nayapaltan central office with the participation of thousands of leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies to press home their one-point demand for holding the upcoming national election under a non-party government. AL, BNP rallies: 3 vehicles vandalised in Dhaka

Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies have gathered in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office to attend the grand rally today (October 28, 2023) to mount pressure on the government to accept their one-point demand. BNP activists started gathering in front of the party's Nayapaltan headquarters this morning amid the presence of a huge number of law enforcers. Defying the senior leaders’ instructions, several thousand opposition activists thronged Nayapaltan on Friday afternoon in advance and stayed there overnight. 200 BNP men detained from under-construction building in Dhaka’s Kakrail area Visiting the rally venue around 9 am today, thousands of opposition activists were seen coming from different parts of the city. Wearing colourful caps, carrying banners, festoons, placards and portraits of the party’s top leaders, they were shouting anti-government slogans as they converged on the venue. The roads and alleys stretching from Kakrail to Arambagh are filled to the brim with BNP activists, halting traffic in the area. Many leaders and activists of the party alleged that they had to face checking and barricades by law enforcers at the entry points and several locations in Dhaka while presence of buses on the streets was very thin. BNP and its allies set to hold rallies as part of their ‘final push’ BNP’s Dhaka north and south city units are organizing the rally to press home the opposition’s one-point demand for holding the upcoming national election under a non-party government. The rally is scheduled to formally begin at 2 pm with BNP’s Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas in the chair.  Panic grips capital city as AL and BNP flex muscles ahead of Saturday’s rallies BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will address the programme as the chief guest. Apart from BNP, other like-minded political parties and alliances have also made preparations to arrange separate rallies in different parts of the city to press home the one-point demand. Fakhrul intends peaceful grand rally, warns govt against excesses The ruling Awami League is also scheduled to hold a rally in front of the south gate of Baitul Mukarram mosque, which is 1.7 km away from BNP’s rally at Nayapaltan.  After taking much time, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) finally gave Awami League and BNP permission on Friday evening to hold their rallies in the capital’s Baitul Mukarram’s South Gate and Nayapaltan respectively on 20 conditions. Passengers suffer due to suspension of bus movement between Dhaka and Mymensingh ahead of BNP rally

BNP on Thursday alleged that its arrested leaders and activists are being subjected to an ‘inhuman’ attitude in jail. "The leaders and workers at all levels of our party, including the top leaders, in jail are being treated inhumanely,” said party acting office secretary Syed Emran Saleh Prince. Speaking at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, he also said although BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas and former ministers and MPs were supposed to get the division in jail, they were not given the division in the beginning. Even, Prince said, their party’s ailing Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmad and freedom fighter and former deputy mayor of Dhaka city Abdus Salam were not given the division. He also alleged that BNP top leaders were kept in lock-up for more than 24 hours after their arrest. The BNP leader said most of the party’s arrested leaders and activists are suffering from various complex diseases, including cardiac problems and diabetics, but the jail authorities are not allowing their families to send necessary medicines for them. Read more: Mirza Fakhrul, Abbas should’ve given division in jail earlier: HC  “Even, the necessary clothes can’t reach them (the arrested party leaders) in the jail. Though the families of the inmates are repeatedly taking the necessary items to jail gate, the prison authorities are returning them,” he said. Prince also alleged that most of the jailed leaders are now being allowed to meet their family members. “Even though they are jailed on false and fabricated charges, they are being treated like notorious murderers and criminals, which is a clear violation of the jail code and human rights,” the BNP leader said. He strongly condemned and protested against such abhorrent treatment attitude towards the jailed BNP leaders and activists and demanded that they be given the medical facilities and other benefits they deserve as per the jail code.” On December 7, BNP leaders and activists engaged in a clash with police in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office centring the party’s December-10 divisional rally in the capital. Read more: Nayapaltan clash: 445 BNP activists including Rizvi, Annie sent to jail, 2 get bail Later, police raided the BNP office and arrested around 450 party leaders and activists from there. The law enforcers also arrested Mirza Fakhrul and Mirza Abbas the following day.

A Dhaka court on Thursday sent 445 BNP leaders and activists to jail in two cases filed over Wednesday’s clash with police that left one person dead and 50 injured. Party’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and Publication Secretary Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie were among the top leaders who were sent to jail, pending further legal procedures. Meanwhile, the court granted bail to BNP’s Dhaka North Convener Aman Ullah Aman and National Executive Committee member Abdul Kader Bhuiyan Jewel. Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Tofazzal Hossain passed the order after police produced the them before court on Thursday and sought remand for seven days to interrogate them. Read more: Nayapaltan clash: Over 3000 BNP activists, others sued Besides, the court placed 23 BNP leaders and activists on a two-day remand. BNP’s Co-Climate Secretary Mostafizur Rahman Babul, Co-Organizational Secretary Seluzzaman Selim, BNP Dhaka district President Khondokar Abu Ashfaq, BNP leaders Shahjahan, AKM Aminul Islam, Wakil Ahmed , Sajeen Bhuiyan, Sarwar Hossain Sheikh, Saidul Iqbal Mahmud, Mizanur Rahman, Al Amin, Saiful, Shuvo Farazi and Mahmud Hossain Rony, are among the people remanded.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday asked the law enforcers to stop illegally gunning down opposition leaders and activists, and warned that they will have to be accountable to people someday for their every action. “Our Chhatra Dal leader Nayon embraced martyrdom in police firing in Brahmanbaria’s Bancharampur…we condemn this killing, and we take a vow to avenge his murder,” he said. Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said six leaders and activists of their party and its associate bodies have so far been killed in the party’s ongoing movement as they took to the streets to press for their demands. “From this discussion meeting, I would like to ask police and the law enforcement agencies not to continue such killing unfairly, illegally and violating the constitution. Because, you have to be accountable to people for your every action,” he warned. Read more: After 7 successful rallies, Fakhrul declares: ‘No election in Bangladesh without caretaker govt’ Ziaur Rahman Foundation arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 58th birthday of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman. Tarique, exiled in London for 'treatment' since 2008, was born on November 20, 1965. BNP and its different associate bodies marked the day amid various programmes, including discussions and doa mahfil. Earlier on Saturday, Nayon Miah, 22, vice president of Bancharampur’s Sonarampur union parishad unit JCD, was shot by police during a clash with supports of the party, leaving him critically injured. He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where physicians pronounced him dead on arrival around 7:30pm. Fakhrul alleged that police shot Nayan without any reason and provocation when they were distributing leaflets at a local bazar to drum up support for BNP’s divisional rally scheduled to be held in Cumilla town on next Saturday. He said a serious adverse situation has been prevailing in the country where people cannot express their opinions. “All the rights of the people, including the right to vote, have been snatched by the government. We’re carrying out a movement and sacrificing lives on the streets for restoring the lost rights.” The BNP leader said they have been on a very tough struggle since a ‘fascist’ regime is their opponent, which hardly cares about democracy and human rights. “Their only goal is to stay in power by any means.” Read more: Govt unleashes police to foil BNP’s rallies “The government has lost ground beneath its feet and it has become a public enemy since it has got isolated from people…They speak in such a language that it is a kingdom or a monarch. But Bangladesh is the People’s Republic which was established through a bloody war.” Fakhrul said every citizen of the country is the owner of the state but the ruling party has snatched it. “There’re two things in their (AL’s) body chemistry. “One is terrorism as they want to grab everything by indulging in killing, intimidation and the other is plundering as they want to steal everything.” Fakhrul slammed the government for filing a case against writer and online activist Pinaki Bhattacharya and journalist Mushfiqul Fazal Ansari, who was a deputy press secretary of the former prime minister Khaleda Zia, under the Digital Security Act. He said people have got united under the leadership of their party acting chairman Tarique Rahman, who is leading their party from the UK, to get back independence afresh, democracy and all rights through a fierce movement.

Leaders and activists of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) started arriving in Barishal two days early to join the party's divisional rally on Saturday (5 November). Defying a two-day long transport ban, thousands of party leaders and activists were seen in Barishal city's Bangabandhu Park on Friday. Read: Barishal transport strike ahead of BNP rally hits commuters hard Visiting the park on Friday afternoon, UNB found the place overcrowded as thousands have already arrived there and they are cooking their lunch. Monir Hossain, former organizing secretary of Khanjapur Union Jubo Dal of Gournadi Upazila of Barisal district said, 500 leaders and activists have come from our upazila to join the rally. Lunch has been arranged for all of them. "We have made all cooking arrangements for two days," he said.

BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Monday said their party leaders and activists will rather take bullets in chest, but will not leave the streets until the fall of the current government. Speaking at a rally in the city’s Segunbagicha area in the capital, he also said their party will come up with a different strategy of movement this time since law enforcers have resorted to firing at their peaceful programmes. “We’ll reach a situation someday when processions and rallies will be held at every lane and locality of Dhaka, but you (govt) won’t be able to resist it. We’ll see how many police you have and how many activists we have.  We won’t spare if anyone tries to shoot us,” the BNP leader said. Abbas, a BNP standing committee member, alleged that their party has been obstructed from holding rallies by closing roads and traditional venues like Press Club and Paltan. Also read: No non-partisan govt, EC won’t be abolished: Tofail Ahmed “We won’t keep the streets only in your hands. We’ll surely take over the streets. The leaders of BNP and its student and youth wings have learned how to receive bullets. So, there’s nothing to be worried and we’ll take bullets in our chests, but won’t leave the streets until this regime is ousted,” he warned. As part of BNP’s plan to hold 16 rallies in the capital in the current month, Shahbagh and Ramna zones of its Dhaka south city unit arranged the programme in protest against the increase in prices of essentials, fuel and transport fares and the killing of three opposition leaders in police firing. Abbas said police shot dead Swechchasebak Dal leader Abudr Rahim, Chhatra Dal leader Noor-e-Alam in Bhola and Jubo Dal leader Shaon Prodhan in Narayanganj by attacking BNP’s programmes against the price hike in daily essentials. He said BNP leaders and activists are now being implicated in many ‘false’ cases.  “But we won’t give up so easily in the face of firing and cases.” The BNP leader said the movement was carried out in a traditional process during the anti-Ershad movement in the 90s as there was no police firing at that time. “Since firing (at our programmes) is going on, we’ll take a different strategy of the movement in a different way. The movement can’t go on always the same way.  We’ll definitely take suitable measures based on the evolving situation,” he observed. Abbas said Shaon, Rahim and Noor-e-Alam sacrificed their lives in the recent movement while many people in the past laid down their lives for the liberation of the country and for the protection of democracy. Also read: Don’t antagonise people: BNP warns civil servants “We’re also ready to sacrifice our lives to save the country and its independence and sovereignty.  I promise you that I will be there on the frontline of the movement at the right time. But we want to ensure a safe future for our children. We can’t under any circumstances leave behind our new generation in the hands of a hyena-like regime of Awami League,” he said. Abbas said the prices of essential commodities will not go down as long as the Awami League government is in power. “This regime has made the poor people poorer and those living abroad richer. Aziz Khan of Summit Group, a brother of (AL leader Farooq Khan) is one of the richest persons in Singapore.  Many such rich people from a poor country (Bangladesh) are now among the richest men in many countries like Aziz Khan in Singapore.”

The United Kingdom today (September 7, 2022) expressed deep concern over the recent political violence between police and BNP activists, especially in Bhola and Narayanganj that left three people killed. In a brief statement on the verified Facebook page of the British High Commission in Bangladesh, the UK called on all parties to exercise calm and restraint, choosing dialogue over violence. “The UK is gravely concerned about recent violence between political parties and law enforcement, particularly after the deaths of BNP activists in Bhola and Narayanganj,” the statement reads. The statement was issued following a meeting between a four-member BNP delegation and British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson. BNP delegation included party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, organising secretary Shama Obayed and executive committee member Tabith Awal. Read: Jubo Dal activist killed in N’ganj; BNP activists-police clash in parts of country Stating that engagement with political parties is a key part of the UK’s diplomatic presence in Bangladesh, the statement said Dickson was pleased to meet Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders at the British High Commission today (Wednesday), discussing the current political situation. Contacted, Amir Khosru Mahmud told UNB that they met Dickson at the invitation of the High Commission at 2pm. “We had around one and a half hour meeting and discussed the latest political issues in Bangladesh, including the recent incidents of police firing at our peaceful programmes,” he said. As the high commissioner wanted to know from them, Khosru said, “We narrated what actually happened and how law forcers and political goons attacked our peaceful programmes across the country, leaving our three leaders dead and injured many others.” He said they also talked about false cases filed against thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies across the country by law enforcers. “We think it’s the beginning of the end of democracy and electoral process. If it continues a level-playing field will never be created and a credible election won't be held in Bangladesh."

At least 50 BNP activists were reportedly injured  in a clash with police during a protest rally at Syedgaon intersection in  Pakundia upazila of Kishoreganj on Saturday. The BNP activist were peacefully protesting price hike of essentials including fuel when police attacked them and tried to disperse by lobbing tear gas shells, said Jalal Uddin, convener of BNP Pakundia upazila unit. Also read: Get ready for final push against AL govt: Fakhrul to BNP activists “At least 50 activists of our party were injured during the attack,” he said. Meanwhile, Md Al Amin, Superintendent of Kishoreganj police (sadar circle), said   BNP did not take any permission to hold rally or stage demonstration on road. Also read: BNP’s 44th founding anniversary observed amid clashes with cops Police was forced to obstruct them and fire tear gas shells to disperse them when they were heading towards Pouro Bazar area, said the SP.

A Tangail court on Sunday sent 49 BNP activists of Sakhipur upazila to jail in a case filed over vandalising police vehicles in 2018. Senior Judicial Magistrate Farzana Hasnat passed the order after rejecting the bail appeal placed by the accused. According to the case complaint, on December 18, 2018, some BNP activists attacked a patrolling police vehicle and vandalised the Barachowna area in the upazila. Also read: DB to investigate case against BNP leader Fakhrul, 14 others Next day, police filed a case at Sakhipur police station in this regard against 194 leaders and activists of BNP. On October 30,2020, police submitted a chargesheet against 129 people in this case. On Sunday 59 of the accused appealed for bail and the court approved 10 of them considering their sickness and being students. Also read: Filing ‘fictitious’ cases now a regular matter: Fakhrul Outgoing president of the upazila BNP Shahjahan Saju remarked this case as fictitious and demanded immediate release of the accused.