The opposition BNP is all set to hold its rally in Rangpur on Saturday, despite a transport strike enforced by the District Motor Owners' Association.
Several thousand activists of the BNP and its associate bodies – coming from Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, Dinajpur, Gaibandha and Lalmonirhat — took position on at least 20 school grounds in the city, as a precaution against the transport strike, on Thursday night.
The rally will commence at 2pm. The venue for the event, the Collectorate Eidgah ground, has been decorated with posters and banners. The party has erected a temporary stage on the ground as well.
They erected temporary sheds on the grounds to spend the night there. They alleged that law enforcers had jammed mobile networks in the city. The party men were chanting various slogans in the presence of senior leaders, including lawmaker Harunur Rashid.
Senior leaders, including metropolitan unit President Shamsuddin Shamu, inspected the venue on Friday morning. He alleged harassment of party men by the police on their way to Rangpur.
BNP Vice Chairman Dr AZM Zahid Hossain informed the media that the police did not give them written permission for their rally. The party has been given oral consent, he added.
“In a bid to foil the rally, the government is using the transport owners' association,” he alleged.
Transport strike in several districts
Rangpur District Motor Owners' Association enforced a strike in the district from 6am on Friday, a day before the BNP's rally. Movement of all vehicles, including Dhaka-bound buses and inter-district transport, was stopped. Bus ticket counters were seen closed at Kamarpara in Rangpur city on Friday. Similar situations were seen at Rangpur Central Bus Terminal.
Association Vice President Maruf said that they were afraid that violent clashes might erupt ahead of the BNP rally. “What if the buses were attacked or set on fire? We don't have the courage to run buses that cost over Tk150,0000,” he said.
On Thursday, they said the strike was called demanding a ban on illegal vehicles, including three-wheelers, on the highway.
