DHAKA, September 21: BNP and its affiliated organisations remained active across several parts of the capital on Monday, holding a sit-in programme and a protest march in response to recent incidents of arson, explosions and alleged acts of disorder in Dhaka.
Youth Dal leaders and activists staged a day-long sit-in in front of Century Market in Moghbazar, while the Ramna Thana unit of BNP brought out a protest procession from Shantinagar intersection towards Bailey Road in the afternoon.
The organisers said their programmes were aimed at protesting violence, arson, vandalism and alleged clandestine attacks and calling for the restoration of a peaceful environment in the capital.
BNP and Jubo Dal activists gathered in front of Century Market in Moghbazar from the morning and continued their position programme until the evening.
The programme was led by N M Abdullah Ujjal, joint general secretary of the central executive committee of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal.
According to the organisers, activists remained present from Century Market to the area near Moghbazar Central University College. They said the programme was held while keeping public movement and the safety of businesses in the busy area in consideration.
The activists carried banners and placards bearing various slogans, including one that read, “There will be no place for fascism in Ramna.”
Meanwhile, the Ramna Thana unit of BNP brought out a protest march from Shantinagar intersection at around 4pm.
The procession, led by Ramna Thana BNP convener Ashraful Islam, moved through Bailey Road and adjacent streets before concluding peacefully, according to organisers.
Local BNP leaders and activists took part in the march. The protesters voiced opposition to what they described as arson, violence, disorder and alleged clandestine attacks, while calling for the normal functioning of the capital to be maintained.
The programmes came amid reports of several incidents involving explosions and fires in different parts of Dhaka over the past few days.
Reports said cocktail explosions occurred near the High Court and the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Sunday. Earlier, incidents involving explosions and fires had also been reported in areas including Moghbazar, Malibagh, Agargaon, Mohakhali, Babubazar, Jatrabari, Rampura and New Market, along with reports of fires being set to several buses.
The identities and motives of those responsible for the incidents remain subject to investigation by law enforcement agencies.
The Monday programmes came as BNP has been increasing organisational activities across Dhaka.
According to a report published by The Daily Star on September 21, the party instructed leaders and activists at the thana and ward levels in Dhaka to keep party offices active, hold organisational meetings, strengthen local communication and ensure a visible presence in their respective areas.
The party also instructed its grassroots leaders to inform law enforcement agencies about any suspicious activities or attempts to create disorder.
BNP and its three affiliated organisations have also announced a series of protest programmes from September 22 to 25. According to the announced schedule, Jubo Dal will hold programmes on September 22, Swechchhasebak Dal on September 23, Chhatra Dal on September 24, followed by a joint procession and programme of BNP and its three affiliated organisations on September 25.
Among those present at the programmes were Ramna Thana BNP Convener Ashraful Islam, Member Secretary Shamim Hossain, Ward 19 BNP President Abdul Motaleb Rubel, Ward 19 BNP General Secretary Humayun Kabir, and former Ramna Thana BNP organising secretary Abdur Rahman, along with other local leaders and activists.
The recent incidents of arson and explosions have generated concern over public safety and the security of normal activities in the capital. However, responsibility for the incidents has yet to be conclusively established, and the ongoing investigations by law enforcement agencies are expected to provide further information.
