Politics
Leaders, activists have started gathering at Baitul Mukarram South Gate for AL’s Peace Rally
Leaders, activists, and followers of the ruling party Awami league have started gathering at the South Gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque for the party’s “peace and development" rally.
Awami League has organised the rally on the same day BNP is holding its protest rally in Nayapaltan.
Stage set for Awami League's programme in Dhaka today
Visiting the rally area from, the UNB correspondent found hundreds of supporters and activists of the party around the stage, while singers were performing on stage on the occasion.
AL leaders are set to reach the venue after lunch. District-level leaders, activists and followers arrived in Dhaka last night.
Vote for Awami League in upcoming election to continue progress: PM Hasina
Party leaders informed that the “peace rally” will be one of the biggest gatherings in the country with huge participation.
AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader will deliver his speech as the chief guest while Dhaka north and south city units of Awami League are organising the programme jointly.
Awami League has lost the country and also foreigners: Amir Khasru
People from all walks of life will stand against lies, rumors, terrorism and anti-state conspiracy by joining Awami League's peace and development rally, the party hopes.
On the instructions of Jahangir Kabir Nanak, presidium member and leader of Dhaka Metropolitan North Awami League, the party leaders marched in every ward of Dhaka city on October 26 and October 27 before the BNP program.
Few public transport on Dhaka streets as tensions escalate surrounding AL, BNP events
The presence of public transport and other vehicles on Dhaka streets today (October 28) is relatively thin compared to other days, as tensions escalated surrounding the two big parties’ announced programs, causing immense commuting woes.
People who depend on public transport for their daily commute have been hit hard due to few vehicles on the roads.
Panic has gripped people over the scheduled rallies of BNP and Awami League in the capital.
Most are preferring to stay home unless they have any urgent work.
Thousands gather at Dhaka’s Nayapaltan for BNP’s grand rally
Though the day is a government holiday, those who work in private organizations are facing severe commuting problems.
The number of private cars, rickshaws and other vehicles on the streets are also few.
Streets in Shanir Akhra, Kakrail, Shantinagar, Mouchak, Dholaipar, Jatrabari, Sayedabad, Gulistan, Purana Paltan, and Jatiya Press Club areas have few public transport.
Many were seen waiting for buses to reach their respective destinations.
Fakhrul intends peaceful grand rally, warns govt against excesses
No long route buses left from Gulistan.
Contacted, Joint Commissioner (Traffic-North) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Abu Saleh Md Raihan told UNB that the number of vehicles including public buses is low compared to other days.
Mariful Hasan, who had to commute to his office in Mouchak from Shewrapara, said, “I boarded a bus from Shewrapara which dropped me at Bijoy Sarani. Getting no public transport at that point, I decided to walk to Farmgate. Later, I managed to board a bus to Mouchak.”
Like Mariful, Rahul, who also worked for a private company, said he had to change transport twice to reach his office from Keraniganj.
Kaniz Fatema said she took a CNG-run three wheeler from Narayanganj to her office in Dhaka due to the lack of public transport.
Passengers suffer due to suspension of bus movement between Dhaka and Mymensingh ahead of BNP rally
Police and RAB personnel were seen patrolling the roads while a number of check-posts were set up to ensure security.
Thousands of law enforcers – police, RAB and other agencies – have been deployed in the capital city to prevent possible violence during the rallies.
AL and the BNP got permission from Dhaka Metropolitan Police to hold their rallies at their respective venues. Jamaat, however, did not get any go-ahead from DMP for their program.
200 BNP men detained from under-construction building in Dhaka’s Kakrail area
Detectives have detained 200 leaders and activists of BNP, believed to have gathered for the party’s grand rally today, from an under-construction building in Dhaka’s Kakrail area early today (October 28, 2023).
Salahuddin Mia, officer-in-charge of Paltan Model Police Station, said a team of Detective Branch (DB) police conducted a drive in Kakrail at night.
Harun-or-Rashid, additional commissioner of DB under Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said some crude bombs were exploded in the area.
AL, BNP get conditional permission for rallies
After hearing the sounds of explosion, police and DB conducted a drive at an under-construction building and detained 200 leaders and activists of BNP, he said.
They came from different parts of the country ahead of BNP’s grand rally, he added.
BNP and its allies set to hold rallies as part of their ‘final push’
Police also recovered a vehicle owned by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, placards, cooking items, sticks, iron rods and some unexploded crude bombs from the spot, the DB official said.
Rajib Al Masud, deputy commissioner of DB Motijheel Division, said that 15-20 bombs were hurled from the under-construction building targeting police around 1:30 am. “Police are trying to arrest those involved in the incident,” he said.
Panic grips capital city as AL and BNP flex muscles ahead of Saturday’s rallies
Two policemen were injured in the explosion and they were taken to Rajarbagh Central Police Hospital, said Harun.
“Our goal was to ensure that no one creates any untoward incident centering BNP’s grand rally. There are 7-8 such buildings and many people have gathered in those buildings, from what we’ve heard. We’ll conduct drives there as well,” he added.
No politics behind denying permission for Khaleda’s treatment abroad: Law Minister
Law Minister Anisul Huq on Wednesday (October 04, 2023) said there was no politics in not letting BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia go abroad for treatment.
"It's a legal matter, there's no question of politics here. Her (Khaleda Zia's) family had filed an application, which has been disposed of. It was not in the law that she will be allowed to go abroad through this application. There was already a condition that she cannot go abroad, now there is no chance of changing it,” he said.
Read: BNP-leaning United Lawyers’ Forum to boycott Chief Justice's reception
The law minister said these at a press conference at the Secretariat.
“BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir presented false, baseless and misleading information over the matter at a press conference,” he alleged.
Asked whether there is any scope to change Khaleda Zia's conditional release, the law minister said if the condition is given, it should be obeyed. “I think the prime minister has done whatever is possible through exercising her power, there is no scope to use the power again.”
Replying to another question the law minister said if anyone seeks prudential clemency, he/she has to confess the guilt. “. It is a constitutional right that anyone can appeal to the president.”
Read: BNP plotting to form 1/11-like government: Quader
On October 1, the Law Ministry rejected an application of Khaleda Zia’s family seeking permission for sending her abroad for treatment.
On September 18, the government once again extended the suspension of Khaleda Zia’s jail term by another six months.
Read: BNP will miss election bus if they stick to one-point demand: Salman F Rahman
The 78-year-old former prime minister has been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, heart, and eye problems.
Khaleda Zia moved to CCU at Evercare Hospital
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been shifted to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) from the cabin of the Evercare Hospital in the capital Friday on the advice of her medical board.
Khaleda Zia's personal physician AZM Zahid Hossain said she was shifted at 11:30 am.
BNP held special prayers for her at the metropolitan, district, upazila, municipality, union and ward levels across the country after Jum'a prayers.
Khaleda Zia’s jail term suspension extended again by 6 months
The 78-year-old former prime minister has been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, heart, and eye problems.
Since her conditional release in 2020, the BNP chief has been receiving treatment at the hospital under a medical board headed by cardiologist Prof Shahabuddin Talukder.
Khaleda under close observation, says her physician
Khaleda was sent to the Old Dhaka Jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018. Later, she was found guilty in another corruption case the same year.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail through an executive order suspending her sentence on March 25, 2020, with the condition that she stay in her Gulshan house and not leave the country.
Khaleda Zia now taken back to cabin from CCU
Govt can’t feel pains of families of enforced disappearance victims: Dr Moyeen
BNP senior leader Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Wednesday said the Awami League government cannot understand the pains of the families of the victims of the enforced disappearance.
"There’s a sad moment here (as the children cried for their missing fathers). I would like to ask a question to the one-party despotic regime of Awami League whether it can hear the cries of the children of the victims of enforced disappearance,” he said.
Read: BNP starts ‘new game’ using Dr Yunus: Quader
Speaking at a human chain in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan Central office, the BNP leader bemoaned that the tender children broke down in tears at the programme while recalling the memories of their fathers.
“One of them said I don't want this day (of the victims of enforced disappearances) as I want to get back my father and fathers' day. Can you imagine a child saying this with how much agony? The government has to answer this,” the BNP leader said.
Dr Moyeen warned that the Awami League regime will have to face dire consequences if it fails to hear the cries of family members of the victims of the enforced disappearance.
As part of the party’s countrywide programme, BNP's Dhaka south and north city units organised the human chain programme in the Nayapaltan area of the capital, marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.
Read: How BNP views the 'failure' to gain entry into BRICS
Several thousand leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies joined the one-hour-long human chain programme from 3pm by covering their faces with black cloth demanding the trace of the leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies who have been subjected to enforced disappearance.
The members of the victims of the enforced disappearance participated in the human chain and spoke at the programme.
Dr Moyeen said their party will oust the current government through a peaceful movement, paving the way for holding a credible election and restoring the rights of people.
"A people's government will be established in the country through a fair and impartial election. People’s voting and other rights will also be established here. Good governance and democracy will be restored in the country," he said.
Read: 2 bullet hit among 50 injured in 'attack by AL' in Cumilla: BNP
The children of the victims of the enforced disappearance shared their pains as they had not seen their fathers for a long time.
They urged the government to take steps to ensure the safe return of their fathers to their families.
BNP’s all district and city units also brought out silent processions wearing black cloth in their faces in all other metropolitan cities and district towns, marking the day.
The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances is observed every year on August 30 as the day is dedicated to raising awareness about the global crime of enforced disappearance.
BNP initiated politics of murder and conspiracy in Bangladesh, resist them: Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday (August 08, 2023) said that the “evil force” called BNP must be resisted to keep the values of Liberation War and democracy safe in Bangladesh.
Quader made the remark after paying tribute to Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib on her 94th birth anniversary at Dhaka’s Banani graveyard this morning.
Read: AL delegation to leave Dhaka for New Delhi on Sunday
The road, transport and bridges minister said, “Politics of murder and conspiracy started in the country since the brutal assassinations of Bangabandhu on August 15 and four national leaders on November 3 in 1975. The grenade attack on August 21, 2004, primarily targeting Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina, was a continuation of that.”
“Twenty-three lives were lost, including Ivy Rahman, in that grenade attack. BNP was behind this history of bloodbath. This party initiated the politics of murder and conspiracy in Bangladesh,” Quader added.
Read: AL can achieve the impossible if it stays united: Information Minister
Obaidul Quader also said Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib is one of the most remarkable women in Bangladesh’s history. “From Sheikh Mujib to Bangabandhu, from Bangabandhu to the Father of the Nation – Begum Mujib was not only Bangabandhu’s wife, she was also a dedicated partner in all the struggles,” he said.
AL’s Dhaka South unit postpones sit-in program at entry points of capital
Awami League’s Dhaka South unit has postponed its sit-in program as it failed to acquire permission from Dhaka Metropolitan Police.
However, party leaders and activists are on high alert and will take position in front of the party’s thana and ward-level offices.
Also read: BNP’s sit-ins: Huge law enforcers deployed at Dhaka’s key entry points
Dhaka City South Awami League Office Secretary Riaz Uddin Riaz said, "Our previously announced sit-in program has been withdrawn as a mark of respect to the law enforcement agencies.
Yesterday, leaders and activists of Dhaka City South Awami League and its associate organizations announced programs at Demra, Jatrabari, Babu Bazar, Shyampur, Kamalapur at the entry points of Dhaka from Saturday morning in response to BNP's sit-in program.
Also read: DMP denies AL, BNP permission for programmes on Saturday
Clashes break out between BNP men and police at several entry points of Dhaka
Clashes broke out between police and BNP leaders and activists on Saturday when the latter gathered at several entrances of the capital to observe their five-hour sit-in programme.
The clashes broke out at Sonir Akhra, Uttara,Matuail and Gabtoli around 11am when the opposition activists took position there.
Police picked up several BNP leaders including BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and Amanullah Aman during the clashes.
BNP leader AmanUllah Aman fell sick during chase and counter-chase with police when he went to Gabtoli to join the sit-ins programme.
Police picked him up while he was lying on the road.
Also read: AL’s Dhaka South unit postpones sit-in program at entry points of capital
Meanwhile, a large number of law enforcers have been deployed at the key entry points of Dhaka centring BNP’s sit-ins as Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Friday night said it will not allow the party to hold their programme.
Thousands of BNP leaders, activists gathering at Dhaka’s Nayapaltan to join grand rally
Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP have started gathering in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office since Friday morning to attend their grand rally.
Defying senior leaders’ instructions, several thousand activists thronged Dhaka’s Nayapaltan area on Thursday night and stayed there overnight.
Visiting the rally venue around 10:30 am on Friday, the UNB correspondent saw thousands of party leaders and followers from different parts of the city arriving in processions.
Also read: BNP gears up for Friday's anti-govt rally amid fear, speculations
Carrying banners, festoons, placards and portraits of the party’s top leaders, they were shouting anti-government slogans.
Roads and alleys stretching from Bijoynagar to Nayapaltan were crowded with BNP activists, halting traffic in the area.
Many leaders and activists of the party alleged that they had to face checking by law enforcement agencies at the entry points of the capital.
The party has already set up a big stage on nine trucks, rolled out red carpets, and installed loudspeakers.
Also read: Ground for grand rally of Awami League's associate organisations is being ready
Two separate stages have also been erected for the cultural activists and journalists.
Artistes from the BNP's cultural body are performing patriotic songs to keep the crowds invigorated under the scorching sun and they will continue till 12 pm.
BNP’s Dhaka south and north city units are organizing the rally to press home the opposition’s one-point demand for holding the upcoming national election under a non-party government.
The rally is scheduled to formally begin at 2 pm after Juma prayers.
Also read: Over 500 leaders, activists arrested in Dhaka ahead of grand rally: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will address the programme as the chief guest and announce their next course of action to mount pressure on the current government to accept their one-point demand.
Apart from BNP, 37 like-minded political parties and alliances are also going to arrange separate rallies in different city areas to press home the one-point demand that includes the resignation of the Awami League government and holding the next election under a neutral government.
Besides, three associate bodies of the ruling Awami League—Jubo League, Swechchasebak League and Chhatra League—are also scheduled to hold a rally in front of the south gate of Baitul Mukarram mosque which is 1.7 km away from the BNP’s rally at Nayapaltan.
The rallies of the ruling and opposition parties were scheduled to be held on Thursday, but they rescheduled their programmes for Friday as Dhaka Metropolitan Police authorities did not allow them to use their chosen venues on a workday for the sake of avoiding public suffering.
Also read: BNP, AL associate bodies get permission for rallies at Nayapaltan, Baitul Mukarram on conditions
Political analysts think it will be a daunting task for the law enforcers to maintain peace and fend off any untoward incident as both the opposition and the ruling parties will hold their programmes at short distances and at the same time.
All eyes are on the BNP rally as there are speculations that the party may announce non-stop action programmes to force the Awami League government to step down.
On Thursday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police gave BNP and Awami League’s three associate bodies permission to hold their rallies at Nayapaltan and Baitul Mukarram respectively on 23 conditions.
The police authorities asked BNP to limit their rally from Kakrail’s Nightingale crossing to Rajarbagh Police Hospital, while the AL associate bodies have to restrict their rally from Mahanagar Natya Mancha to Muktangan.