Rally participation: Police obstructed BNP men, conducted searches
Staff Reporter :
Ahead of the BNP’s grand rally in the heart of the capital yesterday, the BNP leaders and workers faced significant obstruction from law enforcers, who checked people’s mobile phones and vehicles at various entry points to the capital, allegedly tried to prevent their participation.
Braving these obstructions from the law enforces and the ruling party members, the BNP leaders and workers charged with fervor and determination gathered for the rally, with one united demand: “Down Sheikh Hasina.”
Apart from capital’s entry points including Savar, Tongi, Amin Bazar, Dhaka-Munshiganj Road, Dhaka-Mawa, Dhaka-Mymensingh, the other major roads, intersections, and strategic points were cordoned off by the police, who deployed riot cars, police vans, and other logistic support to maintain control and prevent any potential violence.
Armed with rifles, batons, and protective gear, the law enforcement members were on high alert throughout the event.
Some of the BNP leaders and workers reported incidents of police harassment as they attempted to join the event. Law enforcers were alleged to have checked their mobile phones violating individual privacy and conducted body searches at different entry points leading to the capital.
In capital’s Abdullahpur, police were seen conducting vehicle checks, including buses, in a bid to maintain security measures. During these checks, some police personnel also inspected people’s mobile phones. If any suspicious content was discovered on the mobile devices, the police seized them. Reportedly, a man named Fakrul Hasan was apprehended at the Abdullahpur checkpoint while traveling from Tongi to Dhaka. On his mobile phone, a photograph of a BNP rally was found. However, Hasan asserted that he was traveling to Dhaka for business purposes and had no intention of participating in the BNP’s event.
Subsequently, two other individuals were also detained under similar circumstances. Like Hasan, they denied any involvement with the BNP’s programme and claimed that the police arrested them after finding pictures related to the event on their mobile phones. However, the police have yet to issue an official statement regarding these detentions and the reasons behind them.
On the other hand, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) personnel set up a checkpoint in Gabtoli on Friday morning. The RAB personnel on duty explained to the media that they were inspecting vehicles that appeared suspicious.
On Thursday, an intensified search operation commenced at 9:00pm at Aminbazar, which marks the entrance to the capital city via the Dhaka-Aricha highway. As a result of this operation, traffic movement on the Dhaka-bound lane experienced delays.
Amid these charged political landscape, Police informed that tight security measures had been taken around the areas of Paltan and Gulistan in the capital to avoid any untoward incident surrounding the political events.
Heightened police presence had been seen in the areas of Malibagh, Kakrail, Matsya Bhaban, Jatiya Press Club, Paltan Intersection, Gulistan, and Dainik Bangla Mor. Armed police personnel were seen on duty at Malibagh, Mouchak Mor, and Shantinagar areas.
During this time, the road from Shantinagar Mor to Kakrail was observed to be closed for vehicular traffic, leading to peoples suffering for movement from one part to another point.
Buses arriving from Gazipur to enter the capital were observed making U-turns and returning in the opposite direction.
Overcoming all these obstructions, the streets leading to the BNP’s grand rally stage, in front of their party headquarters, were a sea of colors, teeming with hundreds and thousands of passionate and enthusiastic leaders and workers.
Holding aloft banners, placards, and large posters featuring BNP leaders, including Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia, and Tarique Rahman, they were united in their determination to topple the incumbent government led by Sheikh Hasina.
The spirit of their one-point demand resonated throughout the area as the demonstrators voiced their aspirations to be heard. Clad in colorful attire and caps, they chanted slogans that echoed far and wide, compelling their demand to be met.
Leaders and workers from various Thanas, Upazilas, and districts marched along the streets to converge at Paltan, bolstering the ranks of the grand rally.
Apart from Awami League’s and BNP’s rallies, there were other 37 political parties at different points of the capital demanding the resignation of the government.
