United News of Bangladesh

BNP brought out a massive colourful rally in the capital today (Friday), marking ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’. Tens of thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies, wearing colourful caps, assembled at Nayapaltan since noon, prepared to participate in a large-scale showdown. Streets and alleys from Kakrail Mosque to Fakirerpool and adjoining areas were packed with BNP supporters, causing traffic disruption in the areas. After a brief address, party’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman formally inaugurated the rally around 3:32pm. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also spoke at the gathering. It will proceed towards Manik Mia Avenue, passing through Kakrail intersection, Kakrail Mosque, Matsya Bhaban, the Engineering Institute, Shahbagh, Hotel Intercontinental, Bangla Motor, Karwan Bazar, and Farmgate. The event will conclude with a virtual address by the party’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, at Manik Mia Avenue. Carrying banners, festoons, placards, and portraits of the party’s top leaders, BNP activists are chanting slogans demanding elections and the withdrawal of cases against senior party leaders, including Tarique Rahman. BNP observed ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’ on Thursday, commemorating the ‘civil-military uprising’ of 7 November 1975. BNP ready for a massive showdown in Dhaka On November 7, 1975, amid political unrest, soldiers and civilians jointly freed then Chief of Army Staff Ziaur Rahman from confinement in Dhaka Cantonment, paving the way for his ascent to power.

Thousands of leaders and activists of the BNP and its associate bodies gathered in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office on Friday to bring out a massive rally, marking ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’. Since noon, BNP leaders and activists assembled at Nayapaltan, prepared to participate in a large-scale showdown. Carrying banners, festoons, placards, and portraits of the party’s top leaders, they chanted slogans demanding elections and the withdrawal of cases against senior party leaders, including Tarique Rahman. Streets and alleys from Bijoynagar to Fakirerpool were packed with BNP supporters, causing traffic disruption in the area. BNP to take out rally in city on Friday marking Nov 7 The rally is set to start at 3 pm from the BNP’s central office. It will proceed towards Manik Mia Avenue, passing through Kakrail intersection, Kakrail Mosque, Matsya Bhaban, the Engineering Institute, Shahbagh, Hotel Intercontinental, Bangla Motor, Karwan Bazar, and Farmgate. Senior BNP leaders, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, will briefly address the crowd before the rally begins. The event will conclude with a virtual address by the party’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman. BNP Standing Committee member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain stated, “This will be a massive rally that will make history. The martyrs of August 5 will be remembered in the rally,” he added. The BNP observed ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’ on Thursday, commemorating the ‘civil-military uprising’ of 7 November 1975. On November 7 1975, amid political unrest, soldiers and civilians jointly freed then Chief of Army Staff Ziaur Rahman from confinement in Dhaka Cantonment, paving the way for his ascent to power.

The BNP public rally demanding the unconditional release of its ailing Chairperson Khaleda Zia has begun in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office with the participation of thousands of leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies. The rally formally began around 2:42 pm on Saturday (June 29, 2024) with the recitation from the holy Quran. BNP leaders and activists have started gathering before the party’s Nayapaltan central office with processions carrying banners, festoons, placards, and portraits of the party’s top leaders from different parts of Dhaka since morning braving bad weather to join the rally. Among the associate bodies, former Jubo Dal General Secretary Abdul Monayem Munna staged a showdown by joining the rally with a big procession. BNP activists gather at Nayapaltan to join rally demanding Khaleda’s unconditional release BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will address the program as the chief guest. Additional police have been deployed in Nayapaltan and its surrounding areas to maintain law and order. Earlier on Wednesday, BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam announced a three-day countrywide program demanding the unconditional release of Khaleda Zia, who is currently undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital. As part of the programs, the party is holding the rally in front of its Nayapaltan central office today. Besides, the BNP leader said their party will hold rallies in all metropolitan cities on July 1 and in all district headquarters on July 3. BNP, allies to launch simultaneous movement against govt soon: Fakhrul Khaleda Zia was rushed to Evercare Hospital in an ambulance at around 3:30 am on June 22 after suddenly falling ill at her Gulshan residence. A team of specialist doctors, led by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, successfully implanted a pacemaker in her chest the following day. She is now receiving treatment in a cabin with CCU facilities at the hospital. On June 11, 2022, Khaleda Zia was diagnosed with three blockages in her heart, one of which was 95% blocked and was treated with stent placement at that time. Khaleda, a former prime minister, aged 79, has long battled various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, and issues related to the kidney, lung, heart, and eyes. Since her conditional release from jail in 2020, the BNP chief has been receiving treatment frequently at the hospital under a medical board headed by cardiologist Prof Shahabuddin Talukder. Khaleda was sent to 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. BNP announces 3-day programme for Khaleda Zia's unconditional release 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. That has since been extended multiple times to keep her out of jail. Khaleda's doctors have been recommending sending her abroad since she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in November 2021. On October 26 last year, three US specialist doctors completed the hepatic procedure known as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS procedure) to stop water accretion in Khaleda Zia's stomach and chest, and bleeding in her liver.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury are anticipated to be released from Keraniganj Central Jail following their lawyers' efforts to withdraw the production warrants against them in all cases. Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Advocate Masud Ahmed Talukdar, representing the BNP leaders, have initiated the legal process for the withdrawal of the production warrants. This comes after both leaders obtained bail in all cases, as confirmed by Sairul Kabir Khan, a member of the BNP chairperson's media wing, to UNB. “The necessary legal steps are being taken following the provision that allows for the withdrawal of production warrants issued for the leaders to be presented in court while incarcerated,” the lawyers stated. Read: Fakhrul, Khasru secure bail; no bar to walk out of jail  Work on withdrawing the production warrants has already begun, with expectations that if completed by noon today, the BNP leaders could be released. The documentation related to the withdrawal is hoped to be finalized by Thursday evening. Advocate Masud mentioned that 13 production warrants had been issued against Fakhrul, highlighting the legal hurdles faced. However, Advocate Syed Joynal Abedin assured that there are no obstacles to their release as bail has been secured in all cases. The context for the anticipated release follows a Dhaka court's decision on Wednesday to grant bail to both Fakhrul and Khasru in connection with a case filed over the vandalism of the Chief Justice's residence during a BNP rally on October 28 last year. The Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judges Court's acting judge, Faisal Atiq Bin Quader, approved the bail upon reviewing their petition. Read: Usurping power AL govt showing arrogance: Rizvi The case was filed by the police on October 29, accusing 59 BNP leaders and activists, including Fakhrul and Khasru, of vandalism and assault during the rally. In total, 11 cases were filed against Fakhrul and 10 against Khasru related to violence surrounding the rally. Fakhrul was detained on October 29, and Khasru on November 3, both from their residences in Gulshan.

Additional Commissioner of Detective Branch (DB) Harun-or-Rashid has said that some BNP activists attacked police in front of the Judges' Residence Complex in Dhaka’s Kakrail earlier today (October 28, 2023).  “Some policemen were injured. Furthermore, they carried out an attack, vandalised and set some vehicles on fire in front of IDB Bhaban at Kakrail,” he said while talking with reporters in front of Kakrail Church.  Currently, BGB members are deployed at Kakrail Church crossing. He said police have video footage of the incidents. “We will identify those involved and take appropriate action,” he said. Police, BNP men clash in Dhaka’s Kakrail area, police box set on fire The BNP activists who were engaged in violence escaped the scene, and the situation is now under control, he added. Earlier, a chase and counter-chase between police and BNP leaders, activists occurred in Dhaka’s Kakrail area. Witnesses said leaders and activists of BNP brought out a procession in the Kakrail area and started going towards InterContinental hotel around 1 pm. At one stage, police obstructed them, and BNP leaders, activists started throwing brick chips at the law enforcers. More than 50 detained in extensive search operations at Dhaka’s entry points Later, police fired rubber bullets, used sound grenades and tear gas shells to disperse them. The grand rally of BNP has begun in front of its Nayapaltan central office with the participation of thousands of leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies to press home their one-point demand for holding the upcoming national election under a non-party government. AL, BNP rallies: 3 vehicles vandalised in Dhaka

A tense situation has been prevailing in Dhaka’s Nayapaltan area today (October 28, 2023) as police, RAB, members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) are at the rally venue in the afternoon. Sherpur-Dhaka bus services suspended They also fired rubber bullets, used sound grenades and tear gas shells to disperse them. Police, BNP men clash in Dhaka’s Kakrail area, police box set on fire The grand rally of BNP has begun in front of its Nayapaltan central office with the participation of thousands of leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies to press home their one-point demand for holding the upcoming national election under a non-party government. More than 50 detained in extensive search operations at Dhaka’s entry points The rally formally began around 12:40 pm with recitation from the holy Quran.

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.

Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies have gathered in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office to attend the grand rally today (October 28, 2023) to mount pressure on the government to accept their one-point demand. BNP activists started gathering in front of the party's Nayapaltan headquarters this morning amid the presence of a huge number of law enforcers. Defying the senior leaders’ instructions, several thousand opposition activists thronged Nayapaltan on Friday afternoon in advance and stayed there overnight. 200 BNP men detained from under-construction building in Dhaka’s Kakrail area Visiting the rally venue around 9 am today, thousands of opposition activists were seen coming from different parts of the city. Wearing colourful caps, carrying banners, festoons, placards and portraits of the party’s top leaders, they were shouting anti-government slogans as they converged on the venue. The roads and alleys stretching from Kakrail to Arambagh are filled to the brim with BNP activists, halting traffic in the area. Many leaders and activists of the party alleged that they had to face checking and barricades by law enforcers at the entry points and several locations in Dhaka while presence of buses on the streets was very thin. BNP and its allies set to hold rallies as part of their ‘final push’ BNP’s Dhaka north and south 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 with BNP’s Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas in the chair.  Panic grips capital city as AL and BNP flex muscles ahead of Saturday’s rallies BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will address the programme as the chief guest. Apart from BNP, other like-minded political parties and alliances have also made preparations to arrange separate rallies in different parts of the city to press home the one-point demand. Fakhrul intends peaceful grand rally, warns govt against excesses The ruling Awami League is also scheduled to hold a rally in front of the south gate of Baitul Mukarram mosque, which is 1.7 km away from BNP’s rally at Nayapaltan.  After taking much time, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) finally gave Awami League and BNP permission on Friday evening to hold their rallies in the capital’s Baitul Mukarram’s South Gate and Nayapaltan respectively on 20 conditions. Passengers suffer due to suspension of bus movement between Dhaka and Mymensingh ahead of BNP rally

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.

BNP on Saturday (October 21, 2023)  took the necessary steps for securing permission from Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) to hold its planned grand rally on October 28 in front of their Nayapaltan central office. The party submitted a letter, signed by its Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, to the DMP office in this regard. Also read: Won't allow any attempt at sabotage or to stoke violence from BNP’s Oct 28 rally: IGP Contacted, Rizvi said they sent a letter to the DMP informing the police authorities about their party’s decision to hold the grand rally on October 28. “In the letter, we mentioned that we’ll hold our programme peacefully.” He hoped that the DMP authorities would cooperate with them in holding the rally. Also read: Police will take decisive action against anyone attempting to incite violence during BNP's Oct 28 rally: DMP Commissioner Earlier on Wednesday, the party announced the grand rally in the capital on October 28 to herald the 'final phase' of action and programmes in the movement to topple the current regime, thus paving the way for holding the next election under a non-party neutral government.   “We’ll hold a grand rally in Dhaka on October 28 (Saturday). From this grand rally, our grand journey will begin,” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said while announcing the programme at Nayapaltan. Also read: Stay on streets with courage just a few days to oust govt: Fakhrul Stating that their planned grand rally is a partial programme of the final phase of the movement, Fakhrul hinted that the opposition will announce a series of action programmes on October 28. “After the grand rally, Inshallah we won’t stop until the fall of this regime,” he told invigorating opposition followers. The BNP leader said the grand rally will be arranged as part of the simultaneous movement. “All political parties who are on the simultaneous movement will work to make this programme a success."