DMP bans all gatherings near CA’s residence, Secretariat again

This is the fourth such restriction in five months, though the law bars enforcement beyond 30 days without government approval

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has reimposed a ban on all public gatherings near the Chief Advisor’s official residence, State Guest House Jamuna, and the Secretariat, the administrative heart of the government.

The new order came on Tuesday, nearly a month after the previous one, marking the fourth such directive from the DMP in the past five months.

The notice read: “In the interest of law and order and the security of the chief advisor, all forms of rallies, public gatherings, demonstrations, and processions are prohibited in and around the Secretariat and Jamuna, under Section 29 of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance.”

The restricted zone includes intersections near InterContinental Dhaka hotel, Kakrail Mosque, Officers’ Club, as well as Minto Road.

As the police commissioner is currently on leave, Acting Commissioner and Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic) Md Sarwar issued the directive.

The order will remain in effect from Jul 9 until further notice, the DMP said.

Repeated protest programmes by different groups have prompted the DMP to issue similar restrictions regularly in recent months.

Earlier bans were announced on Jun 9, May 10, and Mar 13.

Section 29 empowers the police commissioner to issue a written order prohibiting public gatherings if there is a risk to order or security.

The ordinance, however, limits such bans to 30 days unless extended with government approval.

On Monday, defying the existing restriction, a group of dismissed members of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), now Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members gathered at Kakrail Mosque intersection.

Police dispersed them using stun grenades and water cannons.