Another 48-hour blockade, called by BNP, Jamaat and like-minded opposition parties to press home their one point demand, began this morning (November 15, 2023) with traffic movement on the streets. The latest blockade started at 6 am today and will end at 6 am on Friday. Dhaka city is witnessing an increase in vehicular movement and commuters on the streets. People were seen rushing to their respective destinations. Rickshaws are dominating the city roads. 48-hour blockade: Two buses set ablaze in Gazipur Earlier on Tuesday, miscreants set four buses on fire in Dhaka’s Mirpur area ahead of the blockade called by BNP, Jamaat and like-minded opposition parties. Meanwhile in Chattogram city, Awami League and its associate bodies will hold peace rallies at 19 points against BNP-Jamaat’s blockade. The points include Darul Fazal Market premises, Kathgarh, Saltgola crossing, Badamtoli, Bohaddarhat, Naya Bazar, AK Khan, City Gate, Wasa, Muradpur, Kaptai Road, Oxygen, Aman Bazar, Moti Tower, Bakolia Access Road, Natun Bridge, Andorkilla and Dewanhat intersection. After a pause for a day, BNP and like-minded opposition parties called yet another 48-hour countrywide road-rail-waterway blockade beginning from Wednesday to mount pressure on the Awami League government to quit power and hold the next election under a non-partisan administration. 228 BGB platoons deployed to beef up security across the country amid BNP-Jamaat's 48hr blockade BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programme at a virtual press briefing on Monday afternoon. BNP and other opposition parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, have been enforcing blockades across the country since Oct 31. BNP’s like-minded parties announce fresh 48-hour blockade from Wednesday

The presence of public transport and other vehicles on Dhaka streets today (October 28) is relatively thin compared to other days, as tensions escalated surrounding the two big parties’ announced programs, causing immense commuting woes. People who depend on public transport for their daily commute have been hit hard due to few vehicles on the roads. Panic has gripped people over the scheduled rallies of BNP and Awami League in the capital. Most are preferring to stay home unless they have any urgent work. Thousands gather at Dhaka’s Nayapaltan for BNP’s grand rally Though the day is a government holiday, those who work in private organizations are facing severe commuting problems. The number of private cars, rickshaws and other vehicles on the streets are also few. Streets in Shanir Akhra, Kakrail, Shantinagar, Mouchak, Dholaipar, Jatrabari, Sayedabad, Gulistan, Purana Paltan, and Jatiya Press Club areas have few public transport. Many were seen waiting for buses to reach their respective destinations. Fakhrul intends peaceful grand rally, warns govt against excesses No long route buses left from Gulistan. Contacted, Joint Commissioner (Traffic-North) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Abu Saleh Md Raihan told UNB that the number of vehicles including public buses is low compared to other days. Mariful Hasan, who had to commute to his office in Mouchak from Shewrapara, said, “I boarded a bus from Shewrapara which dropped me at Bijoy Sarani. Getting no public transport at that point, I decided to walk to Farmgate. Later, I managed to board a bus to Mouchak.” Like Mariful, Rahul, who also worked for a private company, said he had to change transport twice to reach his office from Keraniganj. Kaniz Fatema said she took a CNG-run three wheeler from Narayanganj to her office in Dhaka due to the lack of public transport. Passengers suffer due to suspension of bus movement between Dhaka and Mymensingh ahead of BNP rally Police and RAB personnel were seen patrolling the roads while a number of check-posts were set up to ensure security. Thousands of law enforcers – police, RAB and other agencies – have been deployed in the capital city to prevent possible violence during the rallies. AL and the BNP got permission from Dhaka Metropolitan Police to hold their rallies at their respective venues. Jamaat, however, did not get any go-ahead from DMP for their program.

The Awami League issued a 36-day ultimatum to BNP to leave the path of negative politics on Monday. “Within 36 days, BNP should leave its arson terrorism, sabotage and conspiring against the democracy otherwise people will resist them,” AL general secretary Obaidul Quader said, while speaking at a 'peace and development rally' organised by the Dhaka Metropolitan North unit Awami League, held in the city’s Uttara. Issuing a warning, the Road Transport and Bridges Minister said “If BNP comes with arms then those hands must be broken and if they (BNP) come with fire, then those hands should be burnt." BNP has now ridden on the visa policy while Awami League depends on the power of people, he said. Obaidul Quader's ministry asked to investigate why the same contractors get jobs “Elections should not be held in Bangladesh under anyone's restrictions and we do not care about the US visa policy. We just care about the people of the country. We will hold our election as per the constitution,” said Obaidul. Noting that BNP failed to carry out movement for 36 minutes for the release of its chairperson, the Awami League leader said “We give you (BNP) 36-day, please get back on the right path.” He also urged the BNP to participate in the election. “There is only scope to participate in the election. If you (BNP) do not participate in the election you will be defeated before taking part in the game.” Conspirators getting ready before next election: Obaidul Quader Presided over by the Dhaka Metropolitan North Awami League President Sheikh Bazlur Rahman, Awami League joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, organizing secretary Mirza Azam, Dhaka Metropolitan North Awami League general secretary SM Mannan Kochi and leaders of central unit Awami League spoke at the rally.  UN expresses desire to see a fair, peaceful election in Bangladesh: Obaidul Quader 

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

Tomorrow's (July 28, 2023) rally of Awami League's associate organisations -- Chhatra League, Jubo League and Swechchasebak League -- will be held at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, instead of the old trade fair ground in Agargaon, said Afzalur Rahman Babu, general secretary of Swechchasebak League. "The rally cannot be held at the old trade fair ground as there is a scheduled programme of the president at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) next to the ground," he told reporters in Dhaka's Agargaon today. Also read: BNP must take responsibility if public safety is disturbed during movement: Quader A press conference regarding the rally will be held at the Chhatra League office on Bangabandhu Avenue at 5 pm today. Also read: AL’s associate organisations to hold rally on Friday too Yesterday, the three associate organisations of AL announced that their youth rally, that was scheduled for today, will be held on Friday. Also read: BNP defers tomorrow’s grand rally to Friday at Dhaka’s Nayapaltan The decision came after BNP decided to hold its rally on Friday, instead of Thursday.

Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said that there is no possibility of conflict from the party's side during the rally on July 27. “Awami League will not instigate any violence. However, the AL government will ensure the safety of people's lives and property if violent incidents occur,” he said while addressing the introductory meeting of the party's education and human resources sub-committee at its central office on Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka today (July 24, 2023). BNP's dream will never come true: Obaidul Quader “Around 70 percent of the country's population is eagerly waiting to vote for AL. People are our strength, and we are not afraid of anyone,” he said. Commenting on student politics, he said, “The beauty of student politics has lost some sheen, and we need to revive its former glory.” Sheikh Hasina's government needed again: Obaidul Quader Quader also said, “There has been a quiet revolution happening in the development of Digital Bangladesh by Sajeeb Wazed. He works in silence and does not seek self-promotion.” General Election to be held as per constitution: Obaidul Quader

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said BNP does not want an election, rather it wants someone to take over after ousting the government — who would finally put the party in power. “They don’t want elections. They rather want something to come to power, ousting the government, which would install them in office — bringing them with ‘nagardola’ or ‘palki’. That is their expectation,” she said. The premier was addressing a huge public rally, arranged by Chattogram City Unit of Awami League at the Polo Ground in the port city. Sheikh Hasina, in her speech delivered from a 160ft boat-shaped stage, said BNP has two skills: vote-rigging and killing people. “They know if election is held, people would not vote for killers,” she said. Read more: PM inaugurates, lays foundation stones of 35 projects in Chattogram “They (BNP) don’t care about the people. If Awami League comes to power, we work for the people,” she added. Referring to the arson attacks unleashed in 2013-2015 by BNP, the PM said one day Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman will have to answer to the people as to why they burnt and killed so many. “People will take account of it one day,” she said. ‘December 10 a favourite date for BNP’ Sheikh Hasina, also AL president, criticised BNP for choosing December 10 as the date for their final divisional rally.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has taken strict security measures marking the ruling Awami League's upcoming rally in the Port City on December 4, when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to be present as chief guest. Three layers of security will be established around the rally venue at Railway Polo Ground, CMP Commissioner Krishnapad Roy told reporters after visiting it on Tuesday. The CMP commissioner said, “We are on high alert marking the PM’s rally in the city.” Read more: DMP gives BNP 26 conditions for holding Dec 10 rally at Dhaka's Suhrawardy Udyan PM Hasina last addressed an AL rally in the Port City on March 28, 2012 at the same venue.   Around 7,500 policemen will be deployed across the city. Among them, 6,000 members will be in charge of security in the entire Chattogram city including the polo ground. Another 1,500 policemen will be deployed outside the city to strengthen the security, he added. "We are keeping an eye on everything. So we can say that there is no news or fear of sabotage.” Meanwhile, the stage construction work is underway at the venue. The construction of the 160 feet long 'boat-shaped' stage started on November 15. Read more:PM instructed to move BCL council from Dec 8 to 6 to facilitate BNP’s Dhaka rally: Quader Awami League leaders are expecting that about 10 lakh people will join the rally. Awami League presidium member and former minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain said, “In the last 14 years, the Prime Minister has made a lot of progress in Chattogram. People will spontaneously join the rally to express gratitude for this development.” The Polo Ground will become a human sea on December 4 due to the rally, hoped the veteran AL leader. Several initiatives have been taken by the City Corporation to welcome the Prime Minister in the city, said Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Rezaul Karim. The Police Commissioner said that the Special Security Force (SSF), which is responsible for the PM's security, is supervising the entire arrangement of the rally. As per their suggestion, there will be police in plain clothes along with uniformed police. Besides, there will be CCTV cameras and drones. In short, there will be maximum security throughout the city. Those who will come to the procession on the day of the rally, where to park their cars will be informed later, he added.

The Nachol upazila administration has imposed Section 144 to prevent any untoward incident as two factions of upazila Awami League planned rallies on Monday at the same venue. Nachol Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sharif Ahmed said the restriction will remain in force in  Nachol Bus stand and adjacent areas from 7am to 7pm on Monday. Read: Chapainawabganj pourashava election postponed Selim Reza, officer-in-charge of Nachol Police Station, said the local administration resorted to the restriction to keep the law and order situation under control. Earlier, Nachol Upazila Awami League General Secretary and Nachol Upazila Parishad Chairman Abdul Quader called a rally at Nachol bus stand at 10 am on Monday. Besides,Municipality Awami League President and municipality Mayor Abdur Rashid Khan Jhalu also called a rally at the same venue.