As part of the party’s decision to continue its movement, BNP on Friday announced fresh programmes, including sit-in and mass campaign, from the metropolitan city to union levels to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government. The programme is also meant for registering the party’s protest against the rise in the prices of power, gas and essential items and the Awami League government’s all-pervasive corruption. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the programme at an iftar party at the Ladies Club in the city. As part of the programme, the party will stage a sit-in from 2pm to 4pm on April 1 in all metropolitan cities and districts towns. Also Read: Fakhrul has no say in BNP’s internal politics: Quader Besides, a similar programme will be observed from 3pm to 5pm on April 8 at all thanas in metropolitan cities and at all upazilas in the districts.  

BNP on Sunday chalked out various programmes to observe what it calls ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’ marking the ‘civil-military uprising’ on November 7, 1975. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the programmes at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office after a joint meeting of the party and its associate bodies. As part of the programmes, he said their party flag will be hoisted atop all offices of the party across the country on the morning of November 7 while BNP senior leaders will place wreaths and offer fateha at the grave of late president and party founder Ziaur Rahman at 11:00am. The party will also arrange an open discussion meeting in front of its Nayapaltan central office at 2pm the same day. Besides, BNP’s associate bodies and all units will hold various programmes, including discussions, cultural programmes, essay competitions, photo exhibitions and publishing supplements in newspapers, across the country to mark the day with due respect. Read: BNP rally begins defying transport strike in Rangpur Amid political turmoil, soldiers and civilians on November 7, 1975 jointly freed then chief of army staff Ziaur Rahman from captivity in Dhaka cantonment, paving the path for Zia to come to power. While BNP and its alliance partners celebrate November 7 as the National Revolution and Solidarity Day, the ruling Awami League and its front organisations consider it as the day of the ‘killing of freedom fighters. Speaking at the press conference, Fakhrul said November 7 is very important to the nation in this difficult situation of the country. “We have to liberate Bangladesh again and free it from misrule involving people being imbued with the spirit of the spirit of November 7.” He called upon people from all walks of life to come forward to protect Bangladesh its independence and sovereignty. “We have to get united and defeat this autocratic regime.”

BNP on Monday announced a two-day programme to observe the 86th birth anniversary of its founder Ziaur Rahman on January 19. Party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programmes at a doa mahfil on the ground floor of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office. Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal’s Dhaka north city unit arranged the programme seeking divine blessings for the speedy recovery of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Gecretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and his wife and the ailing leaders of the organisation, including its President Hasan Jafir Tuhin and General Secretary Shohidul Islam Babul. The programmes include placing wreaths at Zia's grave, holding discussions and arranging free medical camps. Also read: Families of disappearance victims being ‘forced to sign false statements’: BNP As part of the programmes, Rizvi said their party flags will be hoisted atop its offices, including Nayapaltan headquarters, on the morning of January 19. Besides, the party leaders and activists, led by its standing committee members, will place wreaths at Zia's grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at 11am. The party will arrange a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in the afternoon in memory of Zia. Besides, Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) will arrange a free medical camp at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office the same day. BNP will also arrange a free medical camp at the same venue on January 20. The party has taken steps for publishing special articles in national newspapers on the occasion. BNP’s associate bodies will also mark the day with various programmes, including discussions, a photo exhibition, and an essay competition as part of the birth anniversary programmes. Also read: Covid surge: BNP rescheduled 32 rallies The party’s city, district and upazila units will also observe the day with different programmes. Born on January 19, 1936 at Bagbari in Bogura, Ziaur Rahman founded the party in 1978 and became the country's 7th president. Zia was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on May 30, 1981.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Benazir Ahmed on Monday directed the chiefs of police units to ensure highest security for the national mourning day programmes on Aug. 15 marking the martyrdom anniversary of Bangabandhu Shiekh Mujibur Rahman. The IGP also asked them to make sure the programs are observed maintaining proper hygiene and Covid rules. The police boss gave the directives to all unit chiefs virtually from the police headquarters. He said August is the month of mourning when Bangabandhu and most of his family members were brutally killed. He reminded the police officers that many anti-state and anti-government activities had been carried out.  “We have to be very careful as grenade attack was carried out on Aug. 21 and militant group JMB had carried out a series of bombings in 63 districts of the country on Aug. 17. We have to be very alert and remain vigilant about terrorist activities and propaganda through social media,” the IGP said. READ: IGP urges the rich to help the Covid-hit poor people Benazir said ,"Our position against drugs is 'Zero Tolerance'." He again issued a stern warning that if any police member was found to be involved in drugs, strict legal action would be taken against him, including dismissal. The IGP said 'beat policing' is an effective and popular way to bring police services to the doorsteps of the people. Noting that 'beat policing' has already been widely acclaimed by all quarters, the IGP directed to continue it in compliance with health rules. He said all police personnel as well as their family members must get vaccinated to prevent the transmission of corona virus. He said that Bangladesh Police have become a humane force by standing beside the people in the current Covid crisis. He urged his force to continue to help the people to win their hearts and minds. READ: Strictly maintain health rules during shopping: IGP Referring to dengue outbreak Benazir said all police installations should be kept clean and tidy regularly. Senior officials of the police headquarters were present at the meeting.