Police obstruct BNP marches; 50 detained

BNP's black flag processions, demanding the cancellation of the 12th parliament and protesting price hikes, faced reported police obstructions in various districts across the country, including the capital on Tuesday.

Incidents of baton-charging by police on BNP men and detention were reported in several places in the capital city, including Mirpur, Uttara, Azimpur, Doyaganj, and Bijotnagar, as BNP leaders claimed. 

Besides, police reportedly obstructed BNP men from bringing out processions in Faridpur, Tangail, Narayanganj, Naogaon, Jhenaidah, and Lakshmipur. 

BNP leaders claimed they planned peaceful processions with black flags across the country. However, police intervened with force in several places and detained 50 BNP men, the party leaders claimed. 

BNP Standing Committee Member Abdul Moyeen Khan was reportedly picked up from the party's procession in Uttara and released hours later, according to Shamsuddin Didar, BNP Chairperson's press wing officer. 

Didar reported detention of seven people also from the Uttara procession.

Also, the police dispersed BNP leaders-activists workers in the capital's Mirpur-6 area. During this time, five BNP men were arrested from the area.

Police allegedly attacked and detained 15 BNP leaders and activists during preparations for the Azimpur Battala procession, including a former organizational secretary.

BNP also claimed five members were detained after a black flag procession in Bijoynagar.

Facing obstruction from police near Pir Jangi Mazar in Motijheel, the party's Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy spoke to the media and criticised the actions of the law enforcement agencies around the procession which is recognised by the constitution.

In Dayaganj, members of the BNP brought out a procession led by the party Vice Chairman Nitai Roy Chowdhury and International Affairs Committee member Engineer Ishraque Hossain. However, after covering a short distance, the police dispersed the procession, charging with batons from behind.

Police detained eight activists from the Dayaganj procession, claimed Ishraque.

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Senior Joint Secretary General of BNP, has accused the government of growing fear and intimidation following the recent elections.

Speaking at a press conference at the party's central office in Nayapaltan, he asserted, "After holding the dummy election, it seems the government is running scared. Why else would they be so fearful of simple black flag processions?"

However, Jasim Uddin, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the DMP Mirpur Division, said processions would not be allowed without permission.