report on bdnews24.com, Feb 6, 2018 at 19:23:20.0 BdST
On Tuesday, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police issued a ‘special notice’, where it said any kind of gathering will be prohibited from 4am that day until further notice.
Carrying any kind of sticks, knives or any other sharp weapon and explosives or inflammable materials in the capital have been barred, according to the notice issued by Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia.
It also said any kind of demonstration or procession hindering traffic or obstructing public movement will not be allowed.
The DMP notice said inputs from intelligence agencies and media suggest efforts to destabilise public order may take place on Thursday and sought cooperation from all quarters for security.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda and five others, including her son Tarique Rahman have been tried at the court of Dhaka’s Fifth Special Judge Md Akteruzzaman on charges of embezzling Tk 21 million in foreign donation meant for the Zia Orphanage Trust.
The Anti-Corruption Commission started the case nine years ago, in July 2008 during the military-installed caretaker regime.
Over a year later, charges were pressed against six people, including Khaleda and Tarique, who serves as the senior vice-chairman for the BNP.
The four others are former BNP MP Kazi Salimul Haque Kamal, businessman Sharfuddin Ahmed, former principal secretary to the PM Kamal Uddin Siddique and Maminur Rahman, nephew of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.
In March 2014, the trial started after all of them were indicted.
A three-time prime minister, Khaleda faces up to life in prison if found guilty of the charges, which means she will be disqualified for running in the parliamentary polls.
The BNP, which claims the charges as plot to keep the party chief out of the national election, has threaten to take the streets.
Ruling Awami League leaders, however, denied it saying if Khaleda is not guilty, then it will be proven in court.
It has also called supporters to be wide awake as the BNP is expected to burst into protests if Khaleda were to be convicted.
As tensions mount over the issue, the Dhaka metro police restricted any kind of gathering in the capital on the day of verdict.
Speaking to bdnews24.com on Tuesday, a senior law enforcer said they would take ‘all measures’ to ensure public safety.
“All units have been put on alert over the verdict on Feb 8,” said Additional Inspector General of Police Mokhlesur Rahman.
Ahead of the verdict, IGP Javed Patwary on Thursday spoke with senior police officers across the country through a video conference at the headquarters, which was attended by elite unit RAB’s chief Benazir Ahmed.
A Bangladesh Police spokesperson told bdnews24.com that they have ratcheted up security in key installations of the city as well as beefed up measures at checkpoints.
“The regular searching of vehicles has been intensified and we are constantly monitoring the overall situation,” Assistant Inspector General Soheli Ferdous told bdnews24.com.
The BNP has claimed that police have detained over 1,000 of its activists and supporters since Jan 28.
Replying to query referring to the claim, Ferdous said, “Hundreds of arrests are made every day, which include suspects of robbery, abduction and theft. A separate count for political activists has not been done.”https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2018/02/06/khaleda-graft-verdict-police-ban-gatherings-rallies-in-dhaka-for-thursday
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