The local leaders and activists of the Awami League and the BNP are at loggerheads over the December 27 rally of Khaleda Zia at Gazipur’s Bhawal Badre Alam College ground.
The situation deteriorated yesterday when the youth and student wings of both the parties tried to take over the rally ground, which has subsequently been cordoned off by police.
Earlier, the Gazipur unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) declared to hold a rally at the same place on the same day to protest the recent remarks of Tarique Rahman on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
BCL and Jubo League brought out processions one after another throughout yesterday. On the other hand, BNP leaders held a press conference reiterating their stance to make the rally a success.
On Tuesday night, BCL and Jubo League activists vandalised and torched the banners and festoons of BNP’s rally before they set up their own on the east side of the field. Police later took control of the ground and its adjacent areas.
Again in the morning, BCL, Jubo League and Jubo Dal tried to bring out separate processions at the college campus but was resisted by law enforcers.
A leader of district Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, the student body of the BNP, Monirul Islam Monir said police did not allow them to hold any procession but did not bar BCL men from doing so.
Police Super of Gazipur Harun-ur-Rashid said: “We have received application from both the parties and we are evaluating them. But if they intend to create anarchy in the name of rally, we will not allow anyone to hold any rally.”
“Already both the parties tried to take control of the field but we have driven them away. Until a decision is taken, hopefully they all will restrain themselves,” he added.
Meanwhile, the BNP held a press conference yesterday noon at the party’s Gazipur office, where district and central leaders were present.
Brigadier General (retd) ASM Hannan Shah said: “We are working to hold a peaceful rally at the Bhawal college. But the associates of the ruling party, with support of the administration, is making the situation volatile.”
Gazipur city Mayor Professor Mannan urged the law enforcers to do their duty and protect people’s life and property. “We have taken permission for the rally. It is unacceptable that someone else should be interfering with that.”
The BNP-led alliance recently announced to hold a public rally at Gazipur where Khaleda Zia is expected to speak as the chief guest.
However, on Sunday, Convenor of Gazipur BCL Delwar Hossain vowed to thwart the BNP rally if Tarique Rahman did not apologise for his remarks on Bangabandhu.
