Ban on gathering at Khaleda's rally venue in Gazipur over tensions

Gazipur's local administration has banned gatherings in and around BNP's planned rally venue effective from Friday afternoon amid simmering tensions after Bangladesh Chhatra League announced to thwart the public meeting.

Superintendent of Police Harunur Rashid said an indefinite ban was imposed on all gatherings from 2pm until further notice.

"We're not allowing anyone to hold rally there as they have failed to reach a consensus," he said.

Gazipur Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md Nurul Islam said neither the BNP nor the BCL had been granted rally permission.

The Chhatra League ultimatum followed the Tarique Rahman's comment about the nation's founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from London in the month of victory, he said.

"I seek their help in finding a solution for a relief to the residents of Gazipur."

"If that doesn't happen, we will have to take lawful steps. We will not allow the public life to be disrupted."

Usually such tension calls for the enforcement of Section 144 banning all gatherings. The buzz of that happening in Gazipur was in the air from Thursday.

An hour before the DC spoke to the reporters, BNP's acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir claimed that they had followed all the procedures for the permission to hold the Gazipur rally, and that the local administration had assured them of it.

"We want to make it clear that the rally will be held tomorrow. We'll certainly go to Gazipur tomorrow. "

The Gazipur rally had been announced earlier as a part of BNP chief Khaleda Zia's campaign across districts.

Later, the Awami League's student affiliate, BCL, announced a similar programme at the same venue for the same day to thwart the BNP gathering following Tarique's remark.

BCL activists allegedly set fire to BNP banners and festoons at the college grounds on Tuesday night and held demonstrations, announcing their resolve to take over the field on Thursday.

Joydebur Police OC Khandaker Rezaul Karim said five platoons of police personnel were deployed on the college ground and the surrounding areas from Thursday morning.

He said police detained Senior Vice President of Gazipur Juba Dal Md Bashir Uddin Ahmed, BNP activists Ijjat Ali and Rony Mia on Thursday for allegedly planning acts of sabotage.

Six others of the BNP and its affiliate organisation were detained from different parts of Joydebpur on the same charge on Wednesday and Friday, the OC said.

Gazipur BNP President AKM Fazlul Haque said the police were on a detention spree to foil the BNP rally.

Meanwhile, Chhatra League General Secretary Md Touhidul Islam Dip said, "BNP leader Tarique Rahman must tender an unconditional apology for speaking ill of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Or else, they will not be allowed to hold any rally anywhere in Gazipur."

SP Rashid said, "We tried persuasion and thought they would come to an agreement. But they failed to reach a consensus, and as they are trying hold a rally at the same place, there will be law and order issues.

"We cannot let this happen. So we have decided, after discussions with all, not to allow any gatherings here."