Thousands of law enforcers from police, Rab and other agencies were deployed in the capital city on Friday ahead of rallies planned by rival political parties, the ruling Awami League, opposition BNP, Jamaat and other groups on Saturday.
On Friday, the law enforcers set up check-posts and conducted street patrols in different parts of the city, especially the central Dhaka where the rallies are planned. The city outskirts have also been put under security steps.
The main opposition BNP has vowed to go ahead with its rally in front the party’s Naya Paltan office. The ruling Awami League will hold a counter rally at the south gate of Baitul Mukurram Mosque in the afternoon concinciding with BNP rally. Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh has planned its rally at Shapla Chattor.
BNP has called for the grand rally to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to pave the way for a neutral caretaker administration to supervise the upcoming national election, due in first week of January. It also wants an unconditional release of the party’s ailing chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The opposition party has promised to make its rally peaceful.
Thousands of BNP leaders and activists started pouring into Naya Palton on Friday, a day before their grand rally. They said they arrived early fearing that law enforcers may block their journey on Saturday.
Accusing the BNP of trying to create anarchy before the polls the Awami League has vowed to resist it. The call their programme as peace rally.
Jamaat is also demanding the resignation of the government for creating an environment conducive to holding free and fair election.
Determined to prevent any violence the law enforcement agencies on Friday mounted all out security measures in the capital for Saturday’s political programmes. Police permission has been given to none of the parties.
Though ruling Bangladesh Awami League has sought permission to hold rally at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, BNP in front of their party office at Naya Paltan, Ganatantra Mancha at Matsya Bhaban and the 12-party alliance in the Bijaynagar area on the day, Dhaka Metropolitan police (DMP) is yet to give permission formally till filing of this report at 4:30 pm.
Though Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami sought permission to hold a rally at Shapla Chattor in Motijheel but the DMP has already denied permission to the party.
Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operation) of the DMP headquarters Khandker Mahid Uddin told reporters that though Zamaat-e-Islami have submitted an application for permission but a political party like Jamaat will not be allowed in places like Shapla Chattor to hold any rally.
But Jamaat-e-Islami in a virtual press conference on Thursday afternoon reiterated that it would hold its scheduled rally at Shapla Chattar. Jamaat acting amir Mujibur Rahman asked the party leaders and activists not to be misguided by what he said the "provocative, undemocratic and unconstitutional" directives by the government.
Security beefed up in the capital ahead of Saturday’s political rallies amid heightened tension
Meanwhile, tensions have been rising among the city dwellers centering the Saturday’s rallies. Though the DMP is yet to give permission to any of the rallies, hundreds of thousands of BNP leaders and activists have already reportedly entered Dhaka to join the party’s grand rally demanding the resignation of prime minister Sheikh Hasina and the release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.
Replying to another question Khandker Mahid said that the final decisions for the permission of holding rallies would be informed to the concerned political parties formally in the evening.
About beefing up security measures in the capital ahead of the rallies, he said that all out security measures have already been taken in the capital since Friday morning. Special check posts have been set up alongside police patrolling to prevent any untoward incident. Besides, the security will be further beefed up from the evening, he added.
Assistant Director (media) at Rab headquarters ASP Imran Khan said on Friday that 1,500 members from the elite force have already been deployed in the capital city to maintain security and public safety. They will work to prevent any vandalism and attempt to destroy public property.
Rab members are already conducting check posts, street patrolling and intelligence surveillance in plain clothes. Check-posts have been set up at Abdullahpur, Rampura, Pubachal 300 feet road, Amtali, Basila, Agargaon, Shishu Mela, Kachukhet, Technical crossing, Mirpur Kazipara, Savar, Manikganj, Demra, Postogola and Syedabad.
Rab members are also on duty in Mohammadpur, Adabar, Dhanmondi, Kalabagan, Newmarket, Hazaribagh, Sherrebangla Nagar, Tejgaon and Tejgaon industrial areas through special 'Robust Patrol', said the official.
MSH
