Political arena heats up as BNP, AL take up street programs

Police fires teargas cells at a BNP procession in Dhaka City on Tuesday. Photo collected.

The political situation in the country started heating up on Tuesday as the opposition BNP organized street marches in major cities including capital Dhaka in support of its 10- point demand while the ruling Awami League held protest rallies across the country against an alleged threat to the life of PM Sheikh Hasina.

There have been reports of clashes between the police and supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Dhaka’s Science Lab area on in the afternoon. According to eyewitnesses, the clash broke out around 3:50 pm after BNP men of Dhaka South unit brought out a procession.

At that time, police arrested several leaders and activists including BNP executive committee member Rabiul Islam Ravi. Police also fired tear gas shells and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.

BNP sources said they brought out the procession in support of their 10-point demand which includes resignation of the government and holding of free and fair election under a non-party government.

The Awami League and its front organizations held protests across the country on May 23 demanding the arrest of BNP’s Rajshahi district unit president and general secretary for their alleged involvement in issuing death threats to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said on Sunday that the people are ready for the ‘final’ movement to oust the current Awami League government, braving bullets and repressive acts.

Awami Leage and its front organizations have taken up counter programmes to resist BNP’s movement which they term as violence to disturb stability in the country and undo the process of development. The latest addition is their allegation that BNP’s Rajshahi unit convener Abu Sayeed Chand has allegedly given threat to the life of PM Sheikh Hasina. – GW News Desk