The BNP was denied permission to hold a rally in the capital and in protest the party has announced countrywide demonstration for today.
“Our leaders went to the DMP office on Friday night and waited for more than an hour for permission; but in vain. We sent two separate letters to the PWD [Public Works Department] and the DMP authorities on October 29 asking for permission,” said Mirza Fakrul Islam Alamgir, acting secretary general of BNP.
“We have been barred from holding a rally at the Suhrawardy Udyan. We condemn it. In protesting this we will stage demonstrations in every ward of the capital and all the district headquarters across the country,” he said at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan office yesterday.
The party spokesperson also said: “Such attitude of the administration proves that we do not have the permission to express our opinions. There is no scope for continuing democratic activities in the country.
“Police officials are talking like politicians. They are so powerful that they do not give permission to hold a rally. Police have adopted a dual policy – they allow Awami League to hold rally and do not give permission to BNP to hold rally,” he said.
Referring to Human Rights Commission Chairman Mizanur Rahman’s statement that the chain of command of police had broken down, the BNP leader said: “This statement claifies where power belongs. The government has been running the country banking on police and RAB. They have turned the country into a police state.”
Criticising journalists, he said: “Some newspapers always publish negative reports about our party. They intentionally overlook truth and portray our weak points.
Some newspapers today published reports saying we had cancelled the rally. But the truth is that the illegal government is not letting us hold our programmes.”
Earlier, the party chalked out a 10-day programme schedule including a rally at the Suhrawardy Udyan on Saturday to mark November 7 National Revolution and Solidarity Day.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was expected to attend the rally as the chief guest.
