Political confrontation likely to simmer from 2nd week of Sept
Staff Reporter :
In the lead-up to the parliamentary election, the nation’s political environment is simmering with apprehension of violence and mayhem, as both the ruling and opposition parties remain steadfast in their positions and show no willingness to compromise, says crisis24.
According to crisis24, a private security firm that provides global integrated risk management, crisis response, consulting and defensive solutions has published a report saying that ahead of the upcoming general elections, various political parties may hold rallies in different places of Bangladesh by the end of this September.
The agency also cautioned against possible violence.
The ruling party has declared that the upcoming general election will be conducted under the incumbent government, while the main opposition party, BNP, insists that the election must take place under a caretaker government formed after dissolving the parliament.
Amid this political standoff, the opposition political parties will likely to take the streets from the second week of September to show their strength and force the government to meet their demand to restore democracy through holding free, fair and participatory polls under a poll-time neutral administration.
The organization said that BNP and its affiliated organizations have planned to hold 5 protest marches from September 15 to 30.
On September 16, there will be a protest march from an undisclosed location in Rangpur to Dinajpur.
Rallies are scheduled to take place in several areas during the procession.
On September 17, BNP and allied organizations will hold a protest march from Bogura to Rajshahi in Rajshahi division.
Rallies are scheduled to take place in several areas during the procession.
On September 21, protesters will march from Bhairab Upazila of Kishoreganj District of Dhaka Division to Brahmanbaria, Chittagong Division.
Besides, the same program will be held in Habiganj, Moulvibazar and Sylhet divisions.
On the 26th of the last week of the month, the organizers of the Khulna division will gather at Jhenaidah.
Finally, on September 30, the agitators will gather in Chittagong via Cumilla and Feni of Chittagong division.
As part of this, BNP will end the programme with a protest march in Barisal, Faridpur and Mymensingh divisions as well as a march in Dhaka.
Leaders and activists will put up blockade in front of the important government buildings of Dhaka including Bangladesh Secretariat, Election Commission and Prime Minister’s office building.
The political parties will participate in various protests to ensure more gatherings of various political parties in the coming days.
Potential gathering points of the parties include political party offices, police stations, important government buildings, museums, public places, sports grounds, mosques, press clubs and streets.
However, the nature of these programmes may change.
In the event organizational problems or law enforcement issues, the organizers may cancel or delay any planned activities at a short notice.
Crisis24 says Bangladeshi authorities will almost certainly monitor any such gathering.
They may take steps to disperse the crowd.
The possibility of clashes between the police and leaders-activists as well as members of rival political parties cannot be ruled out.
Officers may respond to incidents with mass arrests or the use of force, including lathicharge and tear gas.
Protesters may march or block roads.
As a result, local transport services may be disrupted.
In such a context, Crisis24 has given some advice for common people.
These include- avoid all demonstrations because of the potential for violence.
Leave the area at the first sign of a security breach.
Minimize excess travel near places of political gatherings.
Plan accordingly for potential local disruptions.
Follow all government transportation and safety advice.
