Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP have started gathering in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office since Friday morning to attend their grand rally. Defying senior leaders’ instructions, several thousand activists thronged Dhaka’s Nayapaltan area on Thursday night and stayed there overnight. Visiting the rally venue around 10:30 am on Friday, the UNB correspondent saw thousands of party leaders and followers from different parts of the city arriving in processions. Also read: BNP gears up for Friday's anti-govt rally amid fear, speculations Carrying banners, festoons, placards and portraits of the party’s top leaders, they were shouting anti-government slogans. Roads and alleys stretching from Bijoynagar to Nayapaltan were crowded with BNP activists, halting traffic in the area. Many leaders and activists of the party alleged that they had to face checking by law enforcement agencies at the entry points of the capital.  The party has already set up a big stage on nine trucks, rolled out red carpets, and installed loudspeakers. Also read: Ground for grand rally of Awami League's associate organisations is being ready Two separate stages have also been erected for the cultural activists and journalists. Artistes from the BNP's cultural body are performing patriotic songs to keep the crowds invigorated under the scorching sun and they will continue till 12 pm.  BNP’s Dhaka south and north 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 after Juma prayers.  Also read: Over 500 leaders, activists arrested in Dhaka ahead of grand rally: BNP BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will address the programme as the chief guest and announce their next course of action to mount pressure on the current government to accept their one-point demand. Apart from BNP, 37 like-minded political parties and alliances are also going to arrange separate rallies in different city areas to press home the one-point demand that includes the resignation of the Awami League government and holding the next election under a neutral government. Besides, three associate bodies of the ruling Awami League—Jubo League, Swechchasebak League and Chhatra League—are also scheduled to hold a rally in front of the south gate of Baitul Mukarram mosque which is 1.7 km away from the BNP’s rally at Nayapaltan. The rallies of the ruling and opposition parties were scheduled to be held on Thursday, but they rescheduled their programmes for Friday as Dhaka Metropolitan Police authorities did not allow them to use their chosen venues on a workday for the sake of avoiding public suffering. Also read: BNP, AL associate bodies get permission for rallies at Nayapaltan, Baitul Mukarram on conditions Political analysts think it will be a daunting task for the law enforcers to maintain peace and fend off any untoward incident as both the opposition and the ruling parties will hold their programmes at short distances and at the same time. All eyes are on the BNP rally as there are speculations that the party may announce non-stop action programmes to force the Awami League government to step down. On Thursday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police gave BNP and Awami League’s three associate bodies permission to hold their rallies at Nayapaltan and Baitul Mukarram respectively on 23 conditions. The police authorities asked BNP to limit their rally from Kakrail’s Nightingale crossing to Rajarbagh Police Hospital, while the AL associate bodies have to restrict their rally from Mahanagar Natya Mancha to Muktangan.  

Permission to hold both rallies -- called by BNP and 3 AL associate bodies -- tomorrow (July 28, 2023) will be given if there are enough law enforcers to ensure law and order situation, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Khandaker Golam Faruk said today (July 27, 2023). “A large number of law enforcers will be on duty to ensure security for the Tajia procession on Holy Ashura and two VVIP movements, and permission for holding the rallies will be given depending on the availability of adequate law enforcers,” he said while speaking at a press briefing held at DMP Headquarters. On July 29, the Shia community will observe the religious festival and bring out Tajia processions, he said. DMP suggests BNP to hold rally at Golapbagh or any other field Awami League's associate bodies and BNP have been asked to hold their scheduled rallies on designated grounds due to the holy Ashura and VVIP movements, he added. “If we can manage to deploy adequate law enforcers, then permission will be given to hold the rallies in their selected venues,” said the DMP chief. Responding to a question about the arrest of BNP leaders and activists ahead of the scheduled rally, the DMP chief said search operations have been conducted in different parts of Dhaka to ensure security during the rallies, and only warrant-listed accused were arrested. DMP has no such objection to BNP’s marches in capital on July 18, 19: Anee Earlier, on Wednesday, BNP decided to defer its grand rally, scheduled for Thursday, to Friday. The party wants to hold the grand rally in Dhaka’s Nayapaltan area as it is unwilling to hold the programme at Golapbagh ground as suggested by the police authorities, said Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir while speaking at a press briefing held at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office. Drive to continue till Dhaka free from mugging: DMP Commissioner

BNP has changed the date for holding a mass procession, from December 24 to 30, considering Awami League’s National Council. The decision was announced Saturday at a press briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan office in the capital. However, the date for holding processions in all other metropolitan cities and districts across the country remains December 24. The date change was made only for Dhaka, considering “Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader’s request,” said Nazrul Islam Khan, BNP standing committee member. "As Obaidul Quader expected and requested to change the date of our mass procession as AL will hold its council in Dhaka on December 24, BNP wants to act politically. BNP doesn’t want any conflict and wants peaceful resolution of the crisis,” he added. Read more: BNP leaders, activists being treated inhumanely in jail: BNP "Instead of December 24, we thought of a suitable day to hold the rally in Dhaka and decided on December 30. It is important to remind people about our movement against this unelected government and the fight to establish an elected government,” he said. He said the venue for the Dhaka event on December 30 will be declared later. He urged all party leaders, activists across the country to make the mass procession a success and called on those who are from Dhaka to join the procession on December 10 in the afternoon. Read more: Oust govt to materialise dreams of martyred intellectuals: BNP Oust govt to materialise dreams of martyred intellectuals: BNP Earlier, BNP announced a countrywide mass procession from the rally held at Golapbagh field in the capital on December 10.

Police filed a case against nine BNP leaders and activists, including its executive committee member Ishraque Hossain, for attacking police at Jatrabari during the party’s Dhaka divisional rally on December 10. The case was filed Monday at Jatrabari police station following a complaint received from Nowsher Ali, Sub Inspector of Jatrabari police station. The case was filed under different sections of the Penal Code, 1860 and the Explosive Substances Act 1908. read more: Mirza Fakhrul, Abbas shown arrested in Paltan police station case: DB Chief According to the complaint, the accused obstructed police from performing their duty on the day by attacking with locally made arms, sticks, crude bombs at Golapbagh intersection at Jatrabari area. They attacked with attempt of murder and injured police members, vandalised police vehicles and parts of crude bombs were seized from the area. read more: Sabotage case: 7 including Jubo Dal leaders Tuku, Nayan remanded Other accused in the case are, Md Nabiullah Nabi, Senior Joint Convener of Dhaka South BNP, Pavel Shikder, Central Vice President of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, MD Jamshedul Alam Syamol, Joint Convener Md Jakir Hossain Ziku, former Joint Secretary of Dhaka South BNP Raisul Hasan Hobby, Shubho Hsan Babu, Md Kausar, Badal Sardar.

Passengers from neighboring districts and city outskirts faced a huge challenge to travel to the capital city, Dhaka, on Saturday because of lack of vehicles on streets amid BNP’s anti-government rally. Launch services towards Dhaka and Narayanganj river terminals also remained suspended, causing sufferings to the people. The operations of long-haul buses on Dhaka-Mymensingh and Dhaka-Tangail highways were also disrupted. A general strike-like situation was prevailing as no long-haul buses left Gazipur, and some local buses that started plying with passengers had to return from Chandna intersection being obstructed by law enforcers, UNB’s Gazipur correspondent reported. The number of light vehicles like auto-rickshaw, human haulers were also thin. A few that were moving were carrying extra loads of passengers with demand of increased fare, alleged some angry passengers. Meanwhile, police searched vehicles and the passengers at different points of the highways and railway stations.

BNP activists and locals complained of internet service disruption in and around the Golapbagh rally venue in the city since Saturday morning. Locals said that internet service has been disrupted since 10 am today. A local internet service provider said services were suspended in the Golapbagh area from 1 am on Saturday. Read more: Golapbagh venue teeming with BNP leaders, activists all set for rally Contacted, Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar said, “I have no idea about it. Perhaps network might be disrupted as many people have gathered there. It has happened earlier too.” BNP's divisional rally in the city began on Saturday morning, with the presence of thousands of leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies. The rally began around 11 am at the city’s Golapbagh Ground.

Law enforcers have tightened security in and around the capital to maintain law and order and prevent possible chaos centering the BNP rally. Police have set up check posts at all entry points of Dhaka. Some 32,000 police have been deployed in the city. 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 installations. Police have strengthened their surveillance so that no one can create any chaos. Hope the BNP rally will be held peacefully.” Read more: With few public transport on roads, Dhaka wears a deserted look Alongside police and Rab, Ansar members have also been deployed in different parts of the city to avert any untoward incident. 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. Alongside, law enforcement agencies, activists of Awami Lague, Jubo League and Chhatra League were also seen taking position on city streets to prevent what they said to prevent any sabotage activities  by BNP men. BNP supporters were seen heading towards the rally venue on foot as public transport remained off the streets from this morning. Most of shops across the city were also found closed. To strengthen security, a helicopter of Rapid Action Battalion is seen patrolling over the Golapbagh ground  in the capital. Read more: 4,000 Ansar deployed in capital ahead of BNP rally Defying all obstacles, the BNP leaders and activists thronged the Gopalbagh rally vanue. Asma Begum, an activist of Mohila Dal, who came from Dakkhin Keraniganj, said she along with 50 female supporters started their journey to join the rally after Fazr prayers on foot and reached  the venue around 10 am. She also claimed that they have been obstructed by police and Awami League supporters in different parts of the city. Six ambulances were kept ready at rally venue for use of any emergency. No public transport was seen plying the roads since morning and only some CNG-run auto-rickshaws were seen. Though there is no transport strike in force, owners were not allowing their transport to move about the road. A few inter-city buses were seen on the road, but they were few and far between.

All seven BNP members of the parliament have resigned today as per the decision of the party’s standing committee. BNP’s international affairs secretary Rumeen Farhana announced the decision from the party’s Golapbagh rally this afternoon. The MPs who resigned are: Md. Zahidur Rahman, Thakurgaon-3; Md. Mosharof Hosen, Bogura-4; Gulam Mohammad Siraj, Bogura-6; Md. Aminul Islam, Chapainawabganj-2; Md. Harunur Rashid, Chapainawabganj-3; Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan, Brahmanbaria-2; and Rumeen Farhana, Women’s Reserved Seat. She said the MPs sent their resignation through email and will physically submit those to the speaker of the parliament tomorrow. “We’re not benefiting from being MPs. We joined the parliament to see how much space we get. But it is all the same, being MPs or not, so we have announced resignation,” she said. Read more: BNP’s much talked-about Dhaka rally begins, Khandaker Mosharraf may announce 10-point demand Earlier, BNP MPs were asked to resign from parliament as the party will announce a 10-point demand, including dissolution of parliament, from today’s rally. BNP is holding its last rally from where the party will announce their demands for launching a simultaneous movement.

Public transports were seemingly off Dhaka roads this morning, ahead of BNP’s last divisional rally in the capital city. No public transport was seen plying the roads since morning; only some CNG-run auto-rickshaws were seen. BNP is ready to hold its 10th divisional rally at Golapbagh field in the capital and thousands of leaders and activists of the party have thronged the rally venue. Read More: BNP leaders, activists gathering at Golapbagh field for today’s rally

BNP’s much-discussed last divisional rally in Dhaka has begun with participation of thousands of leaders and activists of the party. The rally, arranged by Dhaka south and north city units of BNP, began at 11 am this morning (December 10, 202) at Golapbagh field near Sayedabad. The party is supposed to deliver messages from the rally for a simultaneous anti-government movement in the run up to the next general election. Read more: Golapbagh venue teeming with BNP leaders, activists all set for rally Though the party formally got permission to organise the rally at the venue around 3pm on Friday, Golapbagh ground was teeming with BNP activists and followers by Friday evening – as they reached in advance with much enthusiasm. The crowd continued to spill over onto nearby streets. Senior BNP leaders, including standing committee members, will address the rally. Read More: BNP set to hold rally in Dhaka to start simultaneous anti-govt movement As party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was sent to jail, BNP’s senior-most standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain will address the rally as chief guest and announce the next course of action.