BNP, allies announce new anti-govt protests for January 16

Staff Reporter :
With the announcement of a fresh protest programme on January 16, the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and other like-minded alliances said that the ruling Awami League is in power with the support of law enforcers and bureaucrats.
The nationwide mass processions on 16 January will be held to press home their 10-point demands and to protest against the electricity price hike.
The BNP and the alliances announced the fresh simultaneous protest programme while holding their scheduled sit-in programmes at 10 divisional cities including the capital on Wednesday.
All the rallies were held peacefully except a few incidents of attacks in Mymensing and Faridpur where ruling party men and law enforces thwarted their programmes.
While delivering speeches before the sea of party leaders and workers at the Naya Paltan BNP Party Headquarters, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, “The government is increasing the price of gas and electricity unlawfully. People are now unable to bear it. We will hold rallies and protest processions in all districts, Upazilas, Metropolitans and Municipalities and the capital on January 16.”
BNP will also carry out the protest programme with the demand for the resignation of the government, dissolution of the parliament and installation of non-party caretaker government along with the price hike of electricity 15 per cent at consumer level. Criticising the Awami League, Mirza Fakhrul said, “Awami League introduces itself as an old political party. We also know it, but now it has completely lost its political existence. They are now isolated from the people. The party has become bankrupt. That’s why they are now depending on police and bureaucrats to stay in power.”
Commenting on the simultaneous movement to topple the government, he said, “Our anti-government movement began when this government destroyed the voting rights for two times.”
Addressing the leaders and workers, the BNP Secretary General said, “This government wants to establish one-party rule in the country. Will we allow it to happen?” In reply, the leaders and workers cried out ‘No’. “Will we allow the establishment of BAKSAL?” he asked. The party workers said – ‘no’.
Urging them, he said, “You have to stand up. People have risen. We have to move forward by uniting the people.”
Appreciating the eminent citizens for issuing statement against the misdeeds of the government, Fakhrul said, “The good news is that the eminent citizens and civil society members are coming forward. Sixty eminent citizens have issued statement against the misdeeds of the government.”
He further said that at least 15 of the party workers have been killed so far amid the ongoing anti-government movement and paid deep respect to the departed souls.
About the attacks of the ruling party men and police firing, he said, “Awami League and Chhatra League workers attacked our party workers in Faridpur. Police fired bullets, leaving many injured. Even police attacked our peaceful rally in Mymensingh.”
He also demanded release of Party Chairperson Khaleda Zia and those who are behind bars.
In the morning, leaders and workers of BNP and its associate bodies Chhatra Dal, Juba Dal and Swechhasebak Dal with small processions reached the party headquarters early morning. At one point the gatherings spread to Fakirapul and Nightingale Intersection.
The sit-in rally was also attended, among others, by BNP Standing Committee Members Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and Mirza Abbas, Vice-Chairmans Abdullah Al Noman and Dr Zahid Hossain, and BNP Chairperson Adviser Aman Ullah Aman and Organising Secretary Abdus Salam Azad.
“We don’t want to topple anybody from power by pushing or tapping. We want to overthrow the government by free and fair election. We want to bring down the government from power through peaceful meetings and processions,” Mirza Abbas, who is now released on bail, said.
Sounding a note of warning to the government, he said, “Accept our 10-point demand. You can come to power if you win in the election under a caretaker government. The days of staying in power by force are over. You cannot stay in power by force.”
About his arrest, Abbas said, “Party Secretary General and I were arrested at midnight just before the Dhaka rally on December 10. In the Detective Branch office, we were asked – sir, do you have a programme to sit in the rally? They were afraid.”
He also told the leaders of Awami League not to speak ill of BNP leaders and workers. “No leader and worker of the BNP are minor. They will force the government to step down,” he added.
On the other hand, the 12-party alliance arranged the sit-in programme at the city’s Bijoynagar as part of their simultaneous movement.
Jatiya Party (Zafar) Chairman Mostafa Jamal Haydar, Kollyan Party Chairman Maj Gen (Retd) Syed Muhammad Ibrahim, Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Mustafizur Rahman Iran, among others, were present.
The seven-party alliance Gonotantra Moncho took position in front of Jatiya Press Club, Liberal Democratic Party at Panthopath, four-party alliance Gonotantrik Oikya in front of Jatiya Press Club (east side) and Gono Forum at Arambag.
The alliances held their second simultaneous programme with BNP on Wednesday.
Chief Coordinator of Moncho Advocate Hasnat Qaiyum announced the fresh protest programme on January 16 to be held in front of BERC Bhaban in the capital.
Our Rangpur Staff Reporter adds : District BNP leaders and workers participated in the sit-in programme in front of the party office at the Grand Hotel intersection on Wednesday, with 10-point demand including the ‘repair of the state’.
BNP Standing Committee Member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said that BNP would return home after realising people’s right to vote. “BNP is now in the field. BNP is active in realizing people’s rights and will continue to do so in the future,” he added.
In Khulna, BNP Vice-Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu while addressing the rally in front of the divisional party office said, “The time of the Prime Minister is over. The government will have to resign immediately. Resign now. The time is not good. If you don’t resign, people will force you to step down.”