On any other Friday, it could be said with certainty that the residents of Dhaka have decided to stay indoors to enjoy a lazy rainy weekend morning.
But this Friday is different. The fears of political violence ahead of the BNP-led opposition alliance’s much-hyped rally at Suhrawardy Udyan, have given the country’s capital city an unusually placid feel.
With the opposition BNP and the ruling Awami League announcing that they would “remain vigilant” on the streets, the fears for an ensuing political faceoff have escalated in the minds of the people.
Since morning, very few privately-owned cars or commuter vehicles were visible on the roads.
Only people, who had no other option but to leave the house, could be seen on the roads.
The presence of law enforcement personnel at key intersections and points in the city has also been adding to the mounting tension.
The opposition rally is scheduled to start around 3pm at the Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital.
