BNP announces countrywide demonstration to protest denial of Dhaka rally

After failing to secure permission for a rally in Dhaka, the BNP has said it will protest by launching countrywide demonstrations on Sunday.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 7 Jan 2017, 06:16 AM
Updated : 7 Jan 2017, 08:49 AM

The announcement on Saturday from a media conference came after police cordoned off the BNP Dhaka central office at Naya Paltan.

"We condemn the government's decision for not allowing today's rally," Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi told the media.

"BNP activists at every metropolitan cities and district towns in the country will be holding procession and rallies on Sunday."

He said that demonstrations will be held at every ward of the Dhaka City Corporation as well.

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi during Saturday's media call.

The BNP had asked for permission to organise a rally on Saturday in Suhrawardy Udyan if it was not allowed to hold it in front of its Naya Paltan central office.

Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Friday they would be able to hold the rally 'successfully' if they got any of the two venues.

The party observes Jan 5 as the 'Death of Democracy Day' marking the 2014 parliamentary elections that it boycotted.

It announced programmes for two days this year to observe the day.

Black-flag marches were held across the country, except Dhaka, on Thursday. The Dhaka rally was all about observing the 'Death of Democracy" Day.

The BNP first moved for a rally at the Suhrawardy Udyan, but on Friday said they had no problems holding it in front of the party office at Naya Paltan.

Authorities did not to respond to the BNP's letter seeking permission for the rally.