The capital city dwellers were gripped with tension as the two major parties-the ruling Awami League and the main opposition BNP-declared to face off each other on the city streets centring much-hyped Dhaka March programme.
The BNP-led 18-party alliance has declared its vow to hold its Dhaka March programme in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office on Sunday defying all restriction and “resistive” measures.
BNP, who will not be joining the January 5 polls, asked its supporters nationwide to gather near the office although Dhaka Metropolitan Police did not permit them to hold it.
On the other hand, the ruling Awami League declared to resist the programme taking control of the city streets and prevent them from creating any chaos.
Police deployments were seen through almost all key intersections in the capital. Several check-posts were also put up on roads.
On Saturday, in a meeting of Awami Legaue high ups, junior Law Minister Quamrul Islam called out to party supporters to “resist BNP with sticks.”
Meanwhile, the law enforcement agencies began combing operations throughout the capital soon after the Dhaka March was announced.
Over 400 people have been detained inside Dhaka alone. Scores others were detained through rest of the country ahead of the Dhaka March programme.
Dhaka-bound buses were grounded from other districts for what employees said fearing sabotage. Launches and train movements were strictly monitored.
Inter-city buses were also very limited inside Dhaka. On late Saturday night, the government imposed a ban on carrying passengers on motorcycles inside city.
The Dhaka March has been called a week ahead of the national elections after a continuous spell of agitation programmes throughout the last few months.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia laid down the programme to press home the demand for scrapping January 5 polls and fresh polls under non-partisan government.
