Port city heats up ahead of Khaleda’s verdict

The political arena of the premier port city is heating up once again as both the Awami League (AL) and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have announced confrontational programs on February 8 centering on the verdict of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case. The Chittagong branch of AL has decided to take up positions at 13 locations of the port city from Thursday morning to make sure any untoward incidents do not occur, while BNP have stated that they plan to take up positions at six spots of the port city on February 8. AL will have members present at the AK Khan intersection, Bahadderhat, Chawkbazar, Shah Amanat Bridge, Badamtali, Katgar, EPZ intersection, Oxygen intersection, WASA, GEC, Airport, Dewanhat, and New Market areas of the port city. The decision was taken during an extended committee meeting by Chittagong AL held at the Chittagong District Council Auditorium on February 5. Acting president of Chittagong AL Mahtabuddin Chowdhury and its secretary AJM Nasir Uddin along with leaders from all tiers of the organization attended the meeting. Meanwhile, BNP leaders also decided to stage a peaceful sit-in in front of their Chittagong office Nasiman Bhaban on the same day. Dr Shahadat Hossain, president of Chittagong city BNP, said that they decided to observe peaceful programs on February 8. “Organizational actions will be taken if anybody is found to be creating unrest on the day. Our leaders and activists will take positions at City Gate, Shah Amanat Bridge, Oxygen intersection, EPZ, Dewanhat, and Bahadderhat. Senior leaders of the organization will assemble at BNP’s main office Nasiman Bhaban,” said Dr Shahadat. However, BNP did not get permission from Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) to carry out their programs at six spots in the city. Mahbubur Rahman Shamim, the central organizing secretary of BNP said, “The mass movement will turn into a mass protest if Khaleda is convicted in the verdict. Leaders and activists of BNP will be ready for action at all upazila headquarters as well as the city on February 8.”Ctg police on high alertChittagong police are on high alert to thwart any subversive activities stemming from the verdict of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Thursday. Officers-in-charge (OCs) of all police stations were asked to remain on high alert, with additional law enforcers being deployed to different parts of the city including entry points in order to avert any unsavoury incidents. Considering the security of several Key Point Installations (KPIs) such as the oil refineries which are located between Cement Crossing and the Boat Club, the CMP also took a decision to cordon off the area and divert traffic away from Airport Road. As per the decision, traffic movement from the city's Cement Crossing area to the Boat Club area on Airport Road will remain suspended from 4:00pm on February 7 to 10:00pm on February 8. However, office goers (from Cement Crossing to Boat Club) and defence personnel are exceptions to the decision. Meanwhile, CMP authorities banned the carrying of all types of arms, ammunition, explosives, sharp weapons, and sticks in the port city on February 8 to avoid violent incidents. The CMP Commissioner Iqbal Bahar issued the executive order under Sections 29 and 30 of Chittagong Metropolitan Ordinance 1978, and it will remain effective from 4:00am to 6:00pm on February 8. The executive order mentioned that unruly activists and leaders of the BNP and its associate bodies might pose a threat to law and order in the port city by engaging in subversive acts of sabotage following the verdict of Khaleda Zia. Meanwhile, security measures have been tightened at Lohagara, Banshkhali, Sitakunda, and Satkania upazilas in the district as a precaution. The four upazilas witnessed large-scale violent seditious activities including arson and vandalism during the countrywide blockade after the 10th general election. On the other hand, the Chittagong city branch of Bangladesh Chhatra League issued a warning that they would launch counterattacks on the businesses and residences of BNP men if they carry out or incite any violence on February 8. The leaders of the student organization of the ruling party AL said that they would also gather at strategic points of the port city to thwart any malicious activities by their rivals.