BNP stages countrywide anti-govt mass processions

The BNP staged mass processions at district and metropolitan levels across the country in a bid to realise their 10-point demand announced on 10 December.

Anti-government mass processions have already started in Meherpur, Pirojpur, Noakhali, Sirajganj, Dinajpur, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Lalmonirhat, Barishal, Sunamganj, Bandarban, Natore, Kurigram, Kishoreganj, Bhola, Naogaon, Lakshmipur, Pirojpur, and Sylhet.

Leaders and activists of Gonotonro Moncho, 12-Party Alliance, LDP, Jamaat along with other oppositions have joined the protest. They have expressed solidarity with BNP's movement and demanded immediate resignation of the government.

The main opposition party, however, will hold its mass rally in the capital on 30 December. 

The party had deferred its mass procession programme in Dhaka from 24 December to 30 December as it coincided with the ruling Awami League's 22nd National Council.

But a mass rally will be brought out outside Dhaka city today to press home the party's demands including the resignation of the government, elections under a non-partisan neutral government, as well as demanding the release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas and other leaders and activists.

Photo: TBS

As per reports, there have been scuffles, chases and counter-chases between law enforcement members and opposition supporters during the BNP processions in different parts of the country. 

Multiple arrests have also been made by the police to maintain law and order.

Police in Satkhira arrested 16 Jamaat men after they brought out a procession from the city's Tufan Mor area. 

Speaking with The Business Standard, Abu Jihad Fakhrul Islam, OC of Satkhira Sadar police station, said, "We have arrested 16 Jamaat-Shibir leaders and activists after they tried to create unrest in the city. A case will be filed soon in this regard."

BNP's Lakshmipur unit brought out a procession in the district's Gohata area in line with the party's countrywide demonstration to oust the government and free its leaders and activists.

Those who participated in the demonstration claimed that Khaleda Zia has been illegally imprisoned and demanded this "repressive government" to resign and handover power to the opposition.      

In Bogura, a mass procession was brought out from the district's Altafunnesa Playground around 1:15am by BNP men. The procession passed through Jaleshwaritala area and ended in front of the party's district office at Nawabbari Road.

Photo: TBS

BNP Dhaka Metropolitan North BNP Convener Aman Ullah Aman, attended the demonstration and demanded urgent realisation of the party's 10-point demand.

In Khulna, Jamaat-e-Islami openly brought out a procession despite a heavy presence of police in front of the BNP party office in the district.

As a part of the 10-point movement program joined by other political parties - Gonotonro Moncho, 12-Party Alliance, LDP, including Jamaat - the rally was organised under the initiative of the Khulna metropolitan and district unit of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

"Since the announcement of the 10-point movement, the government has started to torture Jamaat leaders and activists by arresting and placing them on remand across the country," said Member of Majlish-e-Shura of Jamaat and Khulna wing Ameer Mahfuzur Rahman who led the rally.

"Caretaker government must be reinstated. Otherwise, people will not sit at home anymore," he said hoping mass protest will topple this government and Jamaat-e-Islami leaders including its Ameer Shafiqur Rahman will be freed soon.

Earlier on Friday, Syed Imran Saleh Prince, BNP's acting office secretary, said in a press conference that the senior leaders of BNP will participate in Saturday's mass procession.

Dr Khandkar Mosharraf Hossain will attend the procession in Chattogram, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy in Rajshahi, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan in Khulna, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury in Barisal, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku in Mymensingh.

Besides, the central leaders of the party will participate in the processions of different districts.