The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) allowed both the Awami League and BNP to arrange rallies on Saturday.
Dhaka city has experienced about five hours of clashes primarily revolving around the Awami League and BNP rallies. This resulted in one police officer and a BNP activist killed, and more than 50 people, including journalists injured.
Several journalists, including Dhaka Tribune photojournalist Mahmud Hossain Opu, were attacked by the BNP activists in the capital’s Kakrail area.
The BNP called for a hartal (strike) across Bangladesh on Sunday protesting against the clash with police in Dhaka's Kakrail area.
Here is a brief timeline of Saturday's rally in Dhaka, from a peaceful gathering to a battleground, and its conclusion.
11am: Awami League, BNP clash
Around 11am, clashes erupted when BNP activists blocked Awami League supporters heading to a rally.
It lead to vandalism and a violent confrontation.
By 12:30pm, the clash escalated with BNP activists chanting anti-police slogans and throwing bricks at law enforcement.
1pm: Clash erupts between BNP and police
A clash erupted between BNP activists and police in front of Kakrail mosque.
Police used sound grenades and tear gas to disperse the BNP men,
Meanwhile, BNP activists threw brickbats at the police.
1:15pm: Police personnel attacked
Several BNP activists assaulted police in the Kakrail intersection.
Three journalists were injured. A minibus and a microbus were torched, and police boxes were damaged near Kakrail Church and mosque.
2pm: BGB deployed
BNP activists clashed with police, and it extended to the Nightingale intersection.
They split into two groups, heading towards Naya Paltan and Shantinagar, throwing bricks. Police pursued, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) was deployed.
3pm: Awami League aided police against BNP activists
Police establish a position at the Nightingale intersection while BNP activists moved towards Bijoynagar.
Police used sound grenades and tear gas in Naya Paltan and Shantinagar. BNP chased police to the Bijoynagar Water Tank area. Police relocated to Puran Paltan at around 3:05pm, and Awami League supporters assisted police in dispersing BNP activists.
3.15pm: BNP activists set fire
BNP activists had set fire to five motorcycles, a bicycle, two microbuses, and an ambulance, located at the Rajarbagh Police Hospital gate and within the hospital premises around 3:15pm.
The fire was brought under control by 4pm with the assistance Fire Service and Civil Defence.
4:30pm: Police halts BNP rally
Police forcefully cleared BNP rally venues at Naya Paltan using sound grenades, tear gas, and charged batons while BNP leaders were speaking. This led to the suspension of the rally, and clashes spread to Fakirapool and Arambagh areas.