DMP bans rallies in capital
New Age Online
Dhaka Metropolitan Police on Sunday put a ban on all rallies in the capital from 5:00pm to ward off any untoward situation.The police directives came after Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Saturday declared to hold its scheduled rally in Dhaka even if they do not get permission from DMP.
However, police cited security and safety of the citizens and properties, while issuing the ban.The Awami League had also called a meeting in the city on Monday, coinciding with BNP’s rally.BNP said it is going to observe the January 5 as the ‘Democracy Killing Day’ protesting what it said one-sided national election that they along with allies had boycotted a year ago.Deputy commissioner (media) of DMP, Masudur Rahman, told New Age that the police slapped restriction on rallies in the city from 5:00pm till further notice is issued.He said the police are prepared to contain any kind of unwarranted situations.United News of Bangladesh adds: The BNP-led 20 party alliance on December 22 had sought permission from the DMP authorities for holding a rally at any of the three venues — Suhrawardy Udyan, in front of Nayapaltan BNP office and Shapla Chhatar — in the city to mark the day as ‘Democracy Killing Day.’
The demonstration by BNP and its allies would have meant peoples’ disapproval of the 10th parliamentary polls held on January 5, last year.
Later, the ruling party also announced to hold rallies at least at 16 points of the city on January 5 to mark the day as the ‘Day of Victory for Democracy’, triggering an apprehension of face-off between the ruling party and opposition activists.Several vehicles have been parked haphazardly around the BNP office, disallowing movement of any other vehicles.On Saturday midnight, plainclothes police also vacated BNP’s Nayapaltan central office and put it under lock and key after picking up its ailing joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and vacating the office. Some 4/5 staff were forced to quit the office.
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