Police cordon off BNP office in Rajshahi, march program foiled

Police and members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Tuesday cordoned off the BNP office in Rajshahi city.

No vehicle was allowed to move towards the BNP office located in Malopara of the city.

Besides, gatherings are not allowed.

On the occasion of the Rajshahi City Corporation elections, this step was taken by the Metropolitan Police to prevent the march program of BNP on Tuesday due to the restriction that not more than five people can gather together without prior permission.

Dhaka Tribune

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police informed in a press release that it is important to maintain the law and order situation in the Rajshahi metropolitan in view of the announcement of the schedule for the upcoming Rajshahi City Corporation elections. 

In this situation, there is a risk of deterioration of law and order in Rajshahi with any kind of unauthorized march. 

Therefore, in order to maintain law and order, the RMP police commissioner announced a ban on all kinds of marching programs in Rajshahi city on Tuesday.

Dhaka Tribune

Policemen surrounded Malopara area of the city since morning. 

Besides, the Crisis Response Team of the Metropolitan Police was also deployed. They took position at the gate of the BNP office in the city and did not allow anyone to enter there. Even the nearby shops were closed to deal with the situation. 

The march program announced by the BNP was canceled.

Dhaka Tribune

Confirming the matter, Rajshahi Metropolitan BNP's former office secretary Dicken said, 'The police have surrounded the party office. No one is allowed to go. Nearby shops have also been closed. In this situation, there is no opportunity to hold the march program so far.”

Suhrawardy, officer-in-charge of Boalia police station said that all kinds of public gatherings are prohibited due to the city election restrictions. Therefore BNP's march program will not be allowed in the city.

Dhaka Tribune

Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Spokesperson and Additional Deputy Commissioner Rafiqul Alam said: "Permission to hold the march program was not given."

For this reason, additional police have been deployed in the city along with the BNP office, he said.