Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has asked party leaders and activists to guard the streets on the day of the BNP's pre-scheduled mass procession in Dhaka on Friday.
Talking to journalists at the Secretariat on Thursday, the road transport and bridges minister asserted that they would not sit idle if the BNP activists went on a street rampage. “We'll be on the streets tomorrow like we were on December 10,” he said, BSS reported.
On the other hand, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said the law enforcers would take due action if the BNP supporters blocked the roads, and vandalized and torched vehicles.
He made the remarks while talking to reporters after the inauguration ceremony of Bhulli police station in Thakurgaon Sadar, our correspondent reported.
Information and Broadcasting Minister and ruling party Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud said the BNP leaders were talking like parrots as taught by others.
“The BNP leaders have been given such statements for the last 14 years…there is nothing new. In fact, they've become isolated in the last 14 years," he told reporters at the Secretariat, BSS reported.
Replying to a query, Hasan said the ruling party did not declare any counter-program. “But the leaders and activists of the party will remain alert in different spots of the capital,” he added.
The minister recalled the BNP's anarchy and arson attacks at different places across the country in the name of movement in the past. The BNP had plans to create chaos in Dhaka city centering on their December 10 mass rally. “People feel scared if the BNP declares any program,” said Hasan.
He said the government had a responsibility to stay beside the countrymen as none can destroy peace, law and order as well as stability of the country.