BNP and allied political parties have launched a nationwide march to demand the government's resignation and the restoration of a non-partisan neutral administration during national elections.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is participating in the protest held in the capital on Tuesday morning.
The march will take place at various points in the city from morning till afternoon, starting from Gabtali and concluding at the Raisaheb Bazar intersection at 4pm.
BNP leaders and activists from different parts of the capital have joined the march, chanting anti-government slogans.
Besides, on July 18, marches will be held from 10am to 4pm in all districts and cities across the country.
BNP has called on the people of the country including its affiliates and affiliated organizations to make the march program a success, said BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
Similarly, other political parties aligned with BNP will commence their respective marches from different locations across the capital, with the concluding point at Paltan. In addition to Dhaka, BNP will march in all districts and cities of the country.
Meanwhile, the ruling Awami League is organizing the "Peace and Development Procession" program. Concerns are arising over the potential traffic congestion resulting from the parallel activities of the two sides.
Traffic Concerns
Traffic congestion has already been observed in the Gabtali area due to the march, forcing commuters to walk to their destinations.
A student named Ahmed Saklayeen Romel appealed to political parties to schedule protest programs during holidays or weekends to mitigate traffic congestion.
He said: "We suffer due to traffic jams. Regular classes and exams are held for ordinary students, and missing them due to protests can cause significant harm."
Bus driver Rakib Sheikh said told Dhaka Tribune: "There will be traffic congestion from morning till afternoon today (Tuesday). Buses cannot move freely during processions. Dhaka already experiences significant traffic jams."
On the other hand, law enforcement agencies were seen actively present at various important locations related to the BNP's march and the Awami League's rally.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) stated that an adequate number of policemen have been deployed to prevent any untoward incidents.
March routes
The march program started at 10:30am on Tuesday in front of Gabtali SA Khalek bus station.
According to the BNP plan, the march will take place at Gabtali-Technical Junction-Mirpur 1-Mirpur 10-Kazipara-Shewrapara-Taltala (Agargaon)-Bijoy Sarani-Kawran Bazar-FDC-Mogbazar-Malibag-Kakrail-Naya Paltan (party office)-Fakirapool - Matijheel (Shapla Chattar) - Ittefak Mor - Dayaganj via Bahadursha Park areas.
Meanwhile, Gonotontro Moncho will start from Mirpur-12 at 11am.
The 12-party alliance's march will take place from Kakrail junction to Motijheel Shapla Chattar at around 2:30pm. Top leaders of the 12-party alliance will lead the program.
Gono Forum will bring out its march from Motijheel at 3pm starting from Ganoforum Square to the National Press Club.
The march by Gono Odhikar Parishad led by Nurul Haque Nur will start from its party office in Puran Paltan in the afternoon, and it will go to Karwan Bazar.
Liberal Democratic Party started from Dhaka's Caravan Bazar at 11am and will march towards FDC, and Matijheel.
Reza Kibria-led Gono Odhikar Parishad will start the march from the National Press Club at 3pm.
Labor Party will also start from the National Press Club at 11am, and march towards Tikatuli Mor.
Ganatantrik Bam Oikya will start from the Press Club and move towards Dhanmondi via Shahbagh at around 10:30am.
Bangladesh General Students' Right Protection Council was also set to start from the National Press Club and march towards Shahbagh from 11am.
