A sudden internet network outage occurred before BNP's divisional mass meeting in Rajshahi.
On Saturday morning, the internet network of all mobile phone operators was suddenly shut down at the rally venue and nearby areas.
Sources said, although there was network in 2-3kms of the rally point, the connection was very poor.
This had also put the journalists covering the rally in a difficult position.
Common people were also suffering as the speed of broadband internet was also very low.
BNP media cell alleged that they provided six broadband internet connections at the rally venue. However, not a single server was available when the rally started and is still not available.
BNP leaders claimed that ahead of the rally, network outages have been caused in the Madrasa Maidan and surrounding areas to disrupt the proper promotion of the divisional mass rally of BNP.
The manager of an IT firm in Rajshahi city said: “In the digital age, network is very necessary. Broadband speed has dropped suddenly without prior notice. And there is no mobile phone network. As a result, no work could be done yet.”
Hundreds of journalists from online and electronic media including local and national media have already appeared at the historic madrasa grounds of Rajshahi around the rally of BNP. They said that it was not possible to send news let alone live telecasts from the rally due to network issues. Even they could not talk properly over the mobile phones.
Tanjimul Haque, staff reporter of the Daily Jugantor newspaper and general secretary of Rajshahi Journalists' Union (RJU), said that he had not been getting network connection since reaching there.
Golam Mostafa Mamun, former organizing secretary of the Rajshahi district BNP unit and member of the district convening committee, said that efforts were being made to block the rally in various ways and this was part of it.
Meanwhile, Rajshahi Metropolitan Police imposed eight conditions for BNP to hold this rally. There, in condition number 6, it was mentioned that high resolution CCTV cameras should be installed inside and outside the meeting place under its own management. Projector/mike/sound box cannot be used outside the venue or on the side of the road. Internet connections, broadband connections and routers cannot be used at the venue.
BNP's divisional rally began on Madrasa Maidan in Rajshahi city Saturday morning.
Earlier in the morning, when the two gates of the madrasa ground were unlocked, BNP leaders and activists began to gather at the rallying point.
