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Published : 10 Nov 2024, 12:34 AM
Police have launched "different methods" of activity to prevent disorder surrounding the street programme called by the Awami League to observe Shaheed Noor Hossain Day in the capital's Gulistan and nearby areas for Sunday,
This is the first time the ousted Awami League has called on its leaders and activists to take to the streets since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on Aug 5.
An officer from the Motijheel Division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, or DMP, said that police's efforts began on Saturday evening, although the gathering at Gulistan Zero Point’s Noor Hossain Square is scheduled for 3pm on Sunday.
The policeman, who wished to remain anonymous, told bdnews24.com: “We have maximum surveillance in Gulistan and its surrounding areas. We are prepared to face any kind of situation.”
On Saturday, Awami League leaders and activists announced on social media their intent to take to the streets on Sunday to commemorate the anniversary of the killing of Jubo League activist Noor Hossain during the anti-Ershad movement.
According to DMP Deputy Commissioner [Media] Muhammad Talebur Rahman, the Awami League did not send any formal application to seek permission for the programme, despite announcing it on social media.
Speaking of the party moving forward with the programme without seeking any permission, Talebur said: “Dhaka Metropolitan Police is fully prepared to prevent any kind of chaos.”
According to several police officials, new instructions are coming in every minute for their special operation surrounding the programme.
“If anyone wants to do anything, they will face us first and will be caught,” said Talebur.
Meanwhile, Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam have spoken up about the government will not allow any such programme.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, the press secretary labelled Awami League as "fascist" and said law-enforcing agencies would also adopt a strict stance against any protest processions or gatherings.
His post read - "Awami League is now a 'fascist' party. This 'fascist' party has no right to protest in Bangladesh. Under the orders of 'mass murderer and dictator' Sheikh Hasina, any attempt to hold meetings, rallies, or processions will be met with firm resistance by law enforcement. The interim government will not tolerate any activities that disrupt public order."
The sports advisor also echoed his statement.
In another post on his verified Facebook page around 3:30pm, he wrote: “If anyone from genocidal or banned organisations attempts to hold any programmes, the law-enforcing agencies will take strict action.”
On Aug 5, the day of the government’s fall, Hasina flew to India with her sister, Sheikh Rehana. That same day, the central office of the party, the party president’s political office in Dhanmondi, and the Dhaka district office in Tejgaon were attacked, looted, and set on fire.
Since then, leaders and activists of the party, from the top to the grassroots level, have gone into hiding. Marches were held in only a few districts, excluding Gopalganj. In Dhaka, flash rallies by Chhatra League activists were seen late at night or at dawn after the announcement ban of the Awami League’s student front.
