Photo : Collected
As the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) holds a grand rally in Dhaka’s Nayapaltan today with a singular demand of the current government’s resignation, Jamaat-e-Islami is also out to have its own showdown on the same day in the capital city.
Adding to the mix, the ruling party Awami League (AL) has also convened a rally to take place in the city’s Gulistan.
The police, however, have earlier prevented Jamaat's gathering. This has raised concerns of potential disruptions and the possibility of Jamaat supporters infiltrating the BNP rally.
Sources in the police think there are legitimate fears of possible sabotage on the day. As such, the overall circumstances have stirred up feelings of anxiety, fear, and unease among the general public regarding the gatherings of these two major political parties.
The law and order forces have taken ‘warlike’ preparations for any potential disorder stemming from the assembly. They have issued stern warnings about stringent measures to be taken in such cases. Furthermore, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the police have established check posts at the entrances to Dhaka on Friday.
The BNP has been actively protesting on the streets for several days, demanding the government's resignation. Their culmination of these protests is scheduled for today, the 28th, with a mass rally planned in front of the Nayapaltan central office. It is reported that during this general meeting, BNP will convey the message of the government's need to step down. Additionally, a robust plan, which may include strikes and blockades, will be unveiled to pursue their ultimate objective.
Following BNP's rally announcement, Jamaat-e-Islami also called for a rally at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel on the same day. Simultaneously, the ruling Awami League announced a peaceful rally at Baitul Mukarram Mosque at the South Gate.
Notably, the police have already demonstrated a stringent approach towards Jamaat's activities, adding to the sense of anticipation and tension surrounding these political gatherings.
The police have communicated with both the BNP and the Awami League, requesting information about their respective rallies. Both parties have provided clarification to the police regarding their plans for the rally. Initially, the police maintained a stringent stance towards the rally in Nayapaltan, but later they exhibited flexibility in their approach.
Simultaneously, there are concerns that, as Jamaat-e-Islami was unable to hold their rally in Motijheel, some of their supporters may attempt to join the BNP's rally. This raises apprehensions about the potential for increased crowd size and the dynamics of the event.
In the lead-up to BNP's grand gathering, various rumors have been circulating both online and offline. There are claims that the government may fall on this day, and it's speculated that up to 10 lakh BNP supporters will participate, potentially making Dhaka paralised. Some rumors even suggest the occupation of important government offices.
Intelligence officials have expressed concerns about the potential for chaos during the mass gathering. They are particularly wary of the possibility of disruptive actions by BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami activists. In response to this intelligence, law enforcement officials in the capital are on high alert. In recent days, there have been arrests of individuals with outstanding cases and warrants as a precautionary measure.
In anticipation of the gathering and mass meeting on Saturday, law and order forces have implemented stringent security measures since Friday. Notably, the police, RAB, and the Metropolitan Intelligence Police have extended security measures across the entire capital.
At the entrances to the capital, both RAB and the police are conducting thorough vehicle inspections. Passengers are also subject to questioning by law enforcement agencies. Those providing satisfactory responses are allowed to enter the capital, while those with unsatisfactory responses are turned away.
To oversee the security arrangements, Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police Additional Commissioner Harunur Rashid visited the Nayapaltan security system on Thursday afternoon, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and vigilance.
During his meeting with journalists, he emphasized that general meetings of political parties are scheduled to take place, and they anticipate millions of people gathering at the rally. He also mentioned the diligent efforts of the police patrol team to ensure the safety of Dhaka city.
Regarding Jamaat-e-Islami's rally, when asked about potential police action, he stated that political parties that are not registered will not be allowed to hold rallies at important locations.
In response to inquiries about the potential threat of sabotage, the DB chief conveyed that, taking the risk into account, the police at local stations, the Detective Branch (DB) police, and other law enforcement agencies have intensified their patrols and established additional checkpoints.
He acknowledged that millions of people are expected to enter Dhaka, and there is a possibility that a portion of them might be involved in unpleasant incidents. Therefore, their patrol teams are actively engaged in searches and security measures at various locations to mitigate these risks.
Regarding the arrests of individuals with outstanding warrants, the DB chief emphasized that this is a routine and ongoing part of their work. These arrests are not solely tied to mass gatherings; they occur regularly. He reaffirmed their commitment to apprehending individuals with warrants, stating that they will continue to make such arrests today, tomorrow, and in the future as part of their standard law enforcement procedures.
Khandaker Al Moin, Director of the Law and Media Branch of RAB, has disclosed that more than 1500 RAB members were deployed in the capital on Friday to ensure the safety of public life and property and to prevent any kind of vandalism. This deployment is set to increase on Saturday. RAB members are actively engaged in various security measures, including check posts, patrol activities, and intelligence surveillance while wearing plain clothes in different parts of the capital.
RAB-1 is overseeing check post operations at locations such as Abdullahpur, Rampura, Purbachal 300 feet, and Amtali within the capital. RAB-2 is conducting check post operations in front of Basila, Agargaon, and Shishu Mela in the city. RAB-3 is managing check post operations in front of the Secretariat and Notre Dame College in Kamalapur, a part of the capital. RAB-4 is responsible for check post activities at Kachukhet, Technical, Mirpur Kazipara, Savar, and Manikganj within the capital. RAB-10 is overseeing check post operations at Demra, Postgola, and Syedabad in the capital. In addition, he mentioned that RAB will also conduct helicopter patrol activities in the sky.
According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) source, a significant contingent of law enforcement personnel will be present, particularly from Malibagh Railgate to Gulistan. Additionally, the police will have armored personnel carriers (APC), anti-riot equipment, and water cannons. The intention is to respond swiftly and effectively to any form of disruption or disturbance as soon as it is reported.
Biplab Kumar Sarkar, DMP's Joint Commissioner (Administration) overseeing overall law and order in the capital, told The Daily Messenger, "We are making every effort to ensure the safety of the city's residents during the gathering and prevent any disruptions."
He further stated that if any form of chaotic situation arises, they are fully prepared to enforce strict suppression measures. The senior DMP official also mentioned that a sufficient number of uniformed and plainclothes policemen will be deployed to maintain order and security.
Messenger/Sajib
