The Awami League plans to mobilize its members throughout Dhaka starting early tomorrow to maintain control over the capital, amid concerns that the BNP and its allied groups could attempt to disrupt the city by inciting disturbances.
In addition to organizing a “peace rally” to counter the BNP’s large-scale gathering, the party intends to station its leaders and activists across the city as a precaution, according to insiders.
To demonstrate its strength, the Awami League aims for an unprecedented turnout at the rally set for the southern gate of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. The event is being organized by the Jubo League, Chhatra League, and Swechchhasebak League, with Dhaka city AL leaders and activists (from both north and south) expected to assemble at their respective unit offices, as per party sources.
Leaders and activists will be on alert starting tomorrow morning, given the limited information available about the BNP’s plans surrounding its rally. However, party members have been advised not to interfere with BNP supporters en route to their gathering and to be cautious, particularly if any disorder arises on the streets.
There is concern among AL leadership regarding the possibility of a recurrence of incidents similar to the Shapla Chattar event. On May 5, 2013, clashes erupted between Hefajat-e-Islam supporters, law enforcement, and AL activists in Motijheel and nearby areas, transforming parts of the city into chaos, with significant property damage from fires and looting.
In addition to the BNP-led rallies, the ruling party is also watching developments concerning the Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB), which has scheduled a protest for the same day near the north gate of Baitul Mukarram, in close proximity to the AL’s planned rally location.
Though the IAB is not an ally of the BNP, it has recently extended its support for the party’s one-point movement. At tomorrow’s protest rally, it will press for several demands, including the dissolvement of parliament and the Election Commission.
Law enforcers have also taken all-out measures, including keeping BNP leaders and activists under close watch, and preventing its activists from inviting people to join its grand rally using loudspeakers.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) will set up check posts at various points in the capital to enhance security, along with additional posts with metal detectors at the city’s entry points.
Intelligence-led operations to recover arms and explosives have also been ordered in connection with the BNP rally, a high-ranking police official told The Daily Star, requesting anonymity.
At the BNP rally, an adequate number of police officials will be deployed to capture footage while watchtowers will be erected around the venue for enhanced surveillance, said police sources.
Dog squads will also be deployed at check posts to ensure thorough searches. Uniformed policemen will be accompanied by plainclothes officers to further strengthen security arrangements.
The DMP will give BNP permission at the last minute to hold its rally. The final decision on BNP’s rally venue will be made after analysing an intelligence report so that the police can take security measures to ensure safety for all, said sources at the DMP.
Speaking to The Daily Star, DMP Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq said the police, as public servants, would provide necessary support to all parties to hold rallies. He, however, said any attempt to incite violence and anarchy would not be tolerated.
Mohammad Harun Or Rashid, additional commissioner (Detective Branch) of DMP, said comprehensive security measures would be taken to address all potential risks, although there was no information about any subversive activities or attempts at the moment.
“Nevertheless, we are exercising increased vigilance to prevent any unauthorised activities and ensure a safe environment during the events,” he added.
The AL will go all out to bring party activists, especially the young, from greater Dhaka and especially upazilas adjacent to the capital to ensure a large gathering at the planned “peace rally”.
The AL MPs from Dhaka district have been asked to reach out to party activists, increase their activities and extend their cooperation to the associate bodies to make the rally a success, said party insiders.
According to sources, the BNP requested the AL high-ups to hold its “peace rally” on a later date to avoid the possibility of confrontations, but the ruling party turned down the proposal.
Speaking to The Daily Star, AL Joint General Secretary Bahauddin Nasim said they would stay alert tomorrow as the BNP, as an unpredictable party, can stage anything.
“BNP may go for violent activities to resist the election. Also, we do not dismiss the possibility of recurrence of a Shapla Chattar-like situation. But we will not let BNP do anything that will harm the countrymen,” he said.
AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader, after a views-exchange meeting at the party headquarters on Bangabandhu Avenue, yesterday urged the party leaders and activists to stay alert till the next polls.
“We will stay alert on the ground. We will resist those who will unleash chaos,” he said.
Source: The Daily Star
