Jamaat, police clash in capital
Members of Jamaat-e-Islami and police reportedly engaged in clashes in the capital's Malibagh, Mouchak and Paltan areas after Juma prayers Friday afternoon.
The clashes broke out after Jamaat men tried to bring out processions in those areas.
Four Jamaat-e-Islami members were arrested from the Mouchak area during a clash with police. The detainees are all Dhaka North Metropolitan Jamaat members.
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Jamaat-e-Islami brought out the rallies with a 10-point demand including a caretaker government during the national elections and releasing all imprisoned political prisoners including Jamaat's Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman.
According to Jamaat leaders, another mass procession, which started from the Radio colony of Savar municipality, was barred by the police as the rally headed to the main road. Later, they concluded the rally in front of Savar New Market.
Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka North District Secretary General Shahadat Hossain led the rally.
Meanwhile, as part of simultaneous protests from different political parties to overthrow the government, the 7-party alliance Gonotontro Moncho staged a protest Friday morning in front of the National Press Club.
Leaders and activists of Gono Odhikar Parishad, Nagarik Oikya, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (RAB), Ganosamhati Andolan, Biplobi Workers Party, Bhasani Anusari Parishad and Rashtra Sanskar Andolan have joined the rally, which kicked off at 11am.
The rally will move toward Dainik Bangla Mor and circle back to the Press Club again.
Junaid Saki, chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolan, said, "The bell of the downfall of the Awami League has already been rung. Two incidents have occurred in Bangladesh in the last two days. Bangladesh has recently entered the era of metro rail, and the Awami League has entered the era of losing its collateral."
"They want to destroy the country by taking away the rights of its citizens. The citizens of Bangladesh will not allow this to happen," he added.
Saiful Haque, general secretary of Biplobi Workers Party, said the Awami League has been in power by force. They took away democracy on 30 December, it cannot be accepted and it will not be accepted.
At the end of the rally, Bhasani Anusari Parishad Chairman Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu announced their next programme on behalf of the Gonotontro Moncho.
"We will hold a public protest rally on 11 January from 11am to 2pm demanding the release of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and other political prisoners and the withdrawal of false cases," Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu added.
At least 34 opposition parties, including the BNP, are all set to hold simultaneous mass processions in Dhaka on Friday.
