Mohila Dal procession stopped by police

Police stopped activists of Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal from taking out a procession in Dhaka’s Paltan because it was organised without 'prior permission’.

Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal is the women affiliate of the BNP.

The procession was to start at 10.30am on Saturday from BNP’s Naya Paltan headquarters to mark the Women’s Day.

As the women leaders gathered outside the party office, police tried to send them into it, leading to heated arguments.

Additional policemen were stationed near the BNP office. A prison van and water cannon were also seen parked there.

Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir reached the party office around 10am and took up the issue with Assistant Commissioner of Police (Motijheel zone) Asaduzzaman.

Asaduzzaman said they had not received any permission for the proposed procession from Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner’s office.

“We can’t allow anybody to hold a procession without permission,” he said.

Mohila Dal’s General Secretary Shirin Sultana said it was a scheduled event and they had given a letter to the DMP intimating it.

Mohila Dal to protest

Jatiyabadi Mohila Dal will hold black-flag rallies in districts across Bangladesh on Monday to protest the restriction by police.

“The prime minister, speaker and opposition leader are all women,” said BNP acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in a press brief at Naya Paltan on Saturday noon.

“But Mohila Dal’s procession for International Women’s Day was stopped – it’s very unfortunate.”

Fakhrul said a letter seeking permission for the procession was sent to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) seven days ago.

“International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world for empowering and establishing the rights of women. Its so sad that Mohila Dal is not being allowed to hold their procession in Bangladesh.”