Report in The Daiy Star,12 Oct 2022
The BNP is set to hold its first divisional meeting in Chattogram city today amid warning from the local Awami League that it would resist any violence in the name of political programmes.
Leaders of the opposition party said they would hold a “historic” rally in the port city’s Polo ground with the participation of tens of thousands of leaders and activists.
The rally is the first of 10 rallies, to be organised by the party in its as many organisational divisions protesting the price hike of essentials and fuel oil, and killings of four leaders of the BNP and its associate bodies in recent months.
BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury yesterday said the rally would take place in a peaceful and festive manner.
“There will be a lot of rumours. Please don’t lose patience and fall into any trap. Don’t be incited by an any provocation,” Khasru called upon the party leaders and activists.
The BNP leader was speaking at a press conference at the party office at Nasiman Bhaban on the city’s Nur Ahmad Road.
Party sources said leaders and activists from Chattogram’s adjacent districts have already started reaching the city to join the rally. The work on setting up the stage at the venue was going on yesterday.
Khasru said BNP men will show up for the rally braving all hurdles and harassment.
“Despite lots of problems and pressure, our leaders and activists have been working to make the grand rally a success. No one will be able to stop the rush of the people towards the rally venue,” said the senior BNP leader.
The opposition party earlier alleged that many cases were filed against the party leaders and activists since it started organising protests across the country in late July.
Asked about the ruling party leaders’ warning of resisting violence by BNP, Khasru yesterday said, “According to the country’s constitution, only the law enforcement agencies can do the job of maintaining law and order and no party can do it. The law enforcement agencies should carry out their duties properly so that no one can take any advantage.”
He said the BNP has already asked its leaders and activists to hold the rally peacefully.
“We do politics for the people, and the people’s strength is much more than that of sticks, rifles or sharp weapons. We don’t need any weapons as people are with us. Those who are isolated from the people try to do politics with sticks.”
Party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will address the rally as chief guest. Senior leaders of the party will also be present.
The opposition party held its last meeting at the Polo ground on January 9, 2012, when party Chairperson Khaleda Zia addressed the rally.
BNP sources said the leaders and activists have been instructed to travel to the rally venue in groups to avoid arrest or harassment. They have also been advised not to carry any sticks.
Police sources said a large number of law enforcers, both uniformed and plainclothes, and members of a crisis response team will be deployed in and around the venue to avert any untoward situation.
On Monday, AL leaders warned that the BNP would be resisted if it indulged in violence in the name of holding any rally.
“We hope that the BNP will hold their rally peacefully and that’s why we did not schedule any programme for that day. We have seen earlier that they committed violence and engaged in anti-state activities in the name of holding programmes. If such incidents take place, we will resist,” Moslem Uddin Ahmed, president of the Chattogram South unit AL, said at a press conference.
AJM Nasir Uddin, city AL general secretary, said party leaders and activists would remain alert to any possible violence by the BNP and would resist it.
Meanwhile, AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, yesterday said his party was ready to face the BNP on the streets and in elections.
“BNP leaders are still daydreaming about the fall of the government and making ridiculous statements demanding the government’s resignation,” he said at a press briefing at his Secretariat office.
He said the AL had been on the streets, it is still there now, and will remain on the street in future.
Quader said the BNP’s dream of waging a movement to oust the government by “capitalising on the people’s sufferings caused by the ongoing global crisis” would not come true.
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/bnp-ready-ctg-rally-al-vows-resist-violence-3140286
