BNP leaders and activists on Friday continued to gather in Barisal for the party rally scheduled for Saturday, despite all major forms of public transports having called strikes.
The movement buses, microbuses, launches, engine boats, trawlers, ferries, and three-wheelers connecting Barisal city have all been stopped to press varying demands.
On a visit to the location, it was found that all of the retail and wholesale kitchen markets at Charkaua Ferry ghat near, Barisal river port, were closed due the suspension of ferries and transports.
Charmonai ferry ghat in Beltala and Chandmari ferry ghat had also been closed since Friday morning. Officials could not provide a reason for the closure.
Abdul Hakim, a resident of the Chandmari Trawler Ghat area, said the ferry crossing had been closed since the morning.
However, BNP supporters, who had been coming in since Thursday night, entered Barishal town on at least 100 trawlers. They anchored at different points on the riverbank, avoiding regular ghats.
A launch carrying many activists from Bhola also reached the Chandmari area. The BNP supporters stayed on the launch.
Police were seen checking the documents of private vehicles at the entrances of Barisal city on Friday. Travellers were asked for their destination and cause of travel.
Barisal Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Ali Ashraf Bhuiyan told reporters they were conducting regular work to ensure the safety and security of the people.
Several leaders of BNP said no one would stop them from holding the rally, claiming the transport strikes and security measures were being orchestrated by the government to hinder the opposition party's protests.
BNP Barisal Divisional Organizing Secretary Bilsik Jahan Shirin said: “Nothing can stop the mass gathering in Barisal. If necessary, activists and ordinary people will come on foot, on bicycles, trawlers, and boats.”
Local residents suffer due to transport strike
Muhammad Ali, a resident of the area, went to go to his native village at Swarupkati after receiving news of the death of his mother. He had to travel on foot due to the lack of transports.
Dhaka Tribune
Muhammad Baejid, a resident of Rupatali housing area who works in a school office, said he had to travel with his family to Nazirpur upazila of Pirojpur. They hired transports by providing excessive fares.
A youth named Islam Beware reached Barisal from Dhaka on a water transport and was attempting to reach Gournadi, but failed to find any transports. He decided to walk the 40km journey.
Preparations for rally at Bell's Park
Bell's Park is located about 2 km from the Barisal city centre, and BNP activists were seen moving on city roads to distribute caps, leaflets, and posters asking to join Saturday's rally.
Leaders and activists from different upazilas and remote areas of Barisal division have thronged to the park. Thousands of them offered Jumma prayers after taking a bath in a nearby lake around 12 noon on Friday.
Many were staying in tents erected in the field; some were resting in the shade of trees.
BNP leaders and activists from different areas of Bhola, Barguna, and Patuakhali said they preferred river routes and water transports to reach at Barisal, as their activists were often attacked at different points on roads.
Dhaka TribuneIce, ice cream, water, and food items were being sold by hawkers at the park.
Ferozujja Zaman, assistant secretary of Labor Affairs of BNP, said a festive atmosphere has been created among the leaders and workers despite obstacles.
Safiqul Islam of Amtali upazila of Barguna said he came with two thousand leaders and workers from the area and have brought rice, daal and even wood for cooking.
Banners and billboards have been put up across the city..
The Barisal BNP office situated at Ashwini Kumar Hall has been covered with the banners.
