BNP Alleges Police, AL Activists Obstructing Rallies in Several Districts

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is holding country-wide mass processions today (Saturday) with 10 demands, which includes resignation of ruling Awami League and holding the next general elections under a neutral caretaker government.

Meanwhile, BNP leaders alleged that police obstructed them from carrying out a scheduled rally in Muktarpur area of the Panchasar union of Munshiganj Sadar upazila.

They alleged that a mass rally was organized to demand the release of all central leaders including BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and General Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

However, police stopped the procession from Gosaibagh area of Panchsar union on the main road of Muktarpur's old Ferighat area. Later, they held a road meeting in front of Panchsar union BNP office.

In Pirojpur, at least 25 people were injured in a clash between BNP leaders-activists, and Chhatra League men in the district town in the afternoon.

Pirojpur BNP convener Principal Alamgir told the media Chhatra League attacked BNP men in front of the party's district office at Post Office Road this afternoon when they gathered there to join a mass procession as part of central program, leaving several injured.

They also vandalized the doors and windows of the party office and attacked the injured BNP men at Pirojpur Sadar Hospital where they went for treatment, he alleged.

Denying the allegation, district BCL general secretary Md Iftekhar said BNP men attacked a procession of BCL brought out at Post Office Road to welcome Awami League's national council, leaving a few injured.

Earlier, BNP deferred its mass procession program in Dhaka from 24 December to 30 December after Awami League secretary general Obaidul Quader requested the party to reschedule the program, as AL will hold its central council on 24 December.

The party, however, brought out mass rallies outside Dhaka city. 

BNP will hold mass processions across the country pressing for its 10-point charter unveiled in its Dhaka divisional mass rally on 10 December.