Law enforcement agencies are on high alert in Mymensingh as major opposition party BNP has expressed its resolve to continue with Saturday’s scheduled rally, which key leaders expect will be a massive assembly of leaders and activists from several nearby districts.
Awami League describes the divisional rally, the second of the BNP's 10, as a provocation to create anarchy aimed at destabilizing the political arena ahead of the national elections.
The Awami League sought permission to hold a rally at the Circuit House ground near the Town Hall, on the outskirts of the city, after the BNP made the same request. The authorities rejected both the requests. The BNP had also proposed Eidgah ground, and two main roads as alternative venues.
On Friday afternoon, some district unit BNP leaders visited the Polytechnic Institute grounds for assessment while AL supporters brought out processions in the city chanting slogans against the BNP and its allies.
Meanwhile, the BNP held a press conference at the Press Club in the afternoon. Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan said that they had taken all preparations have been completed to make the rally a success. He sought the cooperation of everyone including the administration.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will be the chief guest at the rally. Earlier, the party leaders and activists held preparatory meetings in Mymensingh, Netrokona, Jamalpur, Sherpur and Kishoreganj, distributed pamphlets and organized street events.
In the evening, the authorities announced that the BNP would be able to hold a rally at the Polytechnic Institute grounds, located near the Dhaka bus stand. The AL then chose to organize its protest rally at railway Krishnachura square in the city.
The rivalry has sparked tension across the city in recent weeks with the central BNP leaders threatening to overthrow the government on December 10, and the fear reached its peak on Friday.
General Secretary of the District Citizen Movement Freedom Fighter Nurul Amin Kalam observed that the people should not be harmed centring the political programs.
“Saturday's gathering will turn into a mass rally with the participation of the ordinary people. The rally will also embolden the activists and supporters to free party Chairperson Khaleda Zia,” said Abu Wahab Akand, the joint convenor of BNP’s Mymensingh metropolitan unit.
“In the past, the Awami League never announced a counter program if there was a big gathering of the BNP. In Mymensingh, there was a peaceful coexistence between the two major parties. But this time is an exception.
“No matter how many obstacles come, this rally will be successful. Common people are coming out of their homes due to the government's oppression of the BNP leaders and activists along with the increase in the prices of electricity, gas and oil,” Wahab said.
However, the ruling party says that the BNP's central leaders have been spreading terror by making infuriating remarks against the government in the name of movement across the country.
District (North) unit Joint Convenor Mohatar Hossain Talukder alleged that the administration was planning to enforce a hartal-like ban to restrict transports.
“In Chittagong, our leaders and activists overcame obstacles and made the rally [on October 12] a success. The people of the country are protesting. This will eventually lead to mass protests and the fall of the government,” he told Dhaka Tribune.
President of AL's metropolitan unit Ehteshamul Alam said that the BNP-Jamaat clique and their allies were trying to destabilize the country by carrying out vandalism and blaming the government by killing its own people.
“We will welcome them if they hold a peaceful rally. But we will drive them out of their homes and the city if they want to create anarchy,” he added.
Syed Imran Saleh Prince, central BNP organizing secretary and in-charge of Mymensingh Division, hoped that the audience would break all records. “However, the administration has to take the responsibility if the Awami League creates any chaos or foils our rally.”
Superintendent of Police (SP) Masum Ahmed Bhuiyan said: “We are in a cautious position. Anyone can hold a political program in a democratic way. If it is peaceful, there is no problem. But if there is a threat to the safety of common people and property, we will take action.”
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Enamul Haque said that they were cordial about both the programs.
