The leaders and activists of BNP and like-minded parties held an absentee funeral (gayebana janaza) in memory of those who died in clashes and attacks during recent demonstrations across Bangladesh after Zuhr prayers at Baitul Mukarram in Dhaka on Wednesday.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members Amir Khasru Mahmud and Mirza Abbas, along with over 200 leaders and activists of BNP, attended the funeral.
Ganosamhati Andolan Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki and leaders and activists of other organizations were also present at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram and on the street during the absentee funeral prayer. Hundreds of activists gathered on the streets as well.
A worshiper present at the funeral said: “After the prayer, a private funeral was held. As soon as the prayers were over, the police detained several people and took them away. I quickly left the mosque out of fear.”
Motijheel Division Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Hayatul Islam Khan said: "No funeral was held at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram. Ordinary Muslims prayed inside. The leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliated organizations were present with them."
According to intelligence agencies, there was a threat of sabotage at the location. As a result, several people were detained for questioning. However, he did not disclose the number of detainees or their identities.
The BNP media cell reported that several people were detained by the police from the Baitul Mukarram area before 1pm on Wednesday. Among them, BNP party supporter Dr Sakhawat Hossain was notable.
Law enforcement became active after the funeral in the Baitul Mukarram area.
Mirza Abbas told reporters: "We did not come to protest. We came for the funeral. Do you have to stop the funeral?"
After the prayers, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul said: "Worshipers were prevented from participating in the funeral."
He condemned this action and added: "If the government wanted, it could have resolved the quota problem through negotiation. Instead, people have been brutally attacked and killed."
After Mirza Fakhrul spoke and exited through the north gate of the mosque, some leaders of Ganatantra Mancha and BNP present there raised slogans. At that time, the police chased them, leading to an exchange of brickbats and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
Earlier, BNP activists had gathered around Baitul Mukarram and in different lanes of Paltan. The police chased them away, and police presence was noticeable in the streets.