Amid the deepening political crisis over the nature of polls-time government, police have cordoned off the main opposition BNP’s Noyapaltan central office, escalating tension.
BNP leaders and activists alleged that the party central office was virtually cordoned off Thursday morning as nobody was allowed to get into and come out of it.
However, police denied the allegation of laying siege to the BNP office and said they only beefed up security to avert any unpleasant incident.
Contacted, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Motijheel division Ashrafuzzaan said police did not prevent any BNP leaders and activists from entering into and coming out of the party central office.
He said the presence of police is more visible as everything is closed around due to Eid vacation, he said.
“Anyone can enter the BNP office, but after necessary checking for security reasons,” the DC added.
The country is passing through a political uncertainty due to the long-drawn stalemate over the format of the election-time government, with the BNP-led opposition alliance sticking to its guns not to join the upcoming election unless it is held under a non-party caretaker government while the ruling alliance refusing to accept the demand.
Meanwhile, both the ruling and opposition alliances called grand rallies in Dhaka city on October 25 in their bid to stage big showdowns as the current regime heading towards completing its tenure.
On Tuesday, plainclothes police raided the Gupibagh residence of BNP’s Dhaka City unit convener Sadeque Hossain Khoka in an apparent bid to arrest him.
The raid was conducted following Khoka’a Monday’s call to BNP leaders and activists to get ready with machete-axe to resist attacks on BNP’s scheduled October 25 mass rally in city.
Addressing the meeting organised by city BNP at Bhasani Auditorium, Khoka said, “The preparation will have to be taken on two issues — making the rally a success and resisting any possible attacks. We won’t attack first. If Awami League comes with something to kill people, they’ll be resisted at any cost.”
Sources said a special DB team along with members from Motijheel thana police went to Khoka’s house after 12:30 pm and was looking for Khoka, but he was not there in the house at that time.
However, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday described the opposition’s threat over the October 25 rallies as ‘rubbish’ while opposition leader Khaleda Zia said they do not want violence in the country, but fair polls.
Source: UNBConnect
