While the BNP received permission from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) to hold a rally in front of their central office, a crude bomb blast occurred in Moghbazar the same day.
BNP has obtained permission from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) to hold a rally in front of their central office, a significant development that demonstrates the current government’s commitment to upholding democratic principles. This permission serves as a testament to the government’s stance on fostering a conducive environment for political expression and peaceful assembly for all political parties.
You can also read: BNP to announce ‘one-point’ movement: A last-ditch effort?
However, a crude bomb exploded nearby, raising doubts about the circumstances surrounding the incident and the possible involvement of any opposition party.
BNP gets verbal approval for holding rally
A two-member delegation from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) met with the commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police at his office to seek cooperation for the party’s July 12 rally in Dhaka.
Party chairperson’s Advisory Council member, Abul Khair and BNP Publicity Secretary Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee met DMP Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq at his Bailey Road office on Monday and filed an application to peacefully organise the rally.
Speaking with the journalist after the meeting Abul Khair Bhuiyan said, “We met the police commissioner and informed them in writing about our Wednesday’s rally. We’ve sought the cooperation of the law enforcement agencies in holding the rally.”
Anee stated that their party will organize a rally on Wednesday at 3 p.m. in front of the party’s central office in Naya Paltan, where Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will declare the next steps for their movement.
Asked whether they got permission from the police, Anee said, “We informed them about our programme. He gives us verbal permission to hold the rally.”
Active engagement with opposition alliances
On Monday, the BNP held separate meetings with four of its allies in an effort to finalize the action programs of the one-point movement, which will be announced on Wednesday. At the BNP Chairman’s Gulshan office, the party met with the Ganatantra Mancha, Liberal Democratic Party, Bangladesh Labor Party, and Dr. Reza Kibria’s Gono Odhikar Parishad. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, general secretary of the BNP, oversaw the meetings with three opposition parties and one alliance.
BNP leaders have discussed initiating their one-point movement for the government’s resignation and conducting the next election under a non-party caretaker government.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated in a program on Monday that his party and its alliance partners would proclaim the final action programs of their current anti-government movement on Wednesday.
“All parties involved in the simultaneous movement have decided to announce a new journey for the restoration of democracy and holding a fair and impartial election from our respective places on 12 July,” he said.
Cocktail Bomb Explosion in Moghbazar
During the political activities, a crude bomb exploded in the New Eskaton area, injuring a passerby. The incident occurred on Monday around 9:00 p.m., according to Tejgaon Industrial Zone Assistant Commissioner Arif Raian of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police.
He stated, citing eyewitnesses, that the bomb exploded in front of a motorcycle showroom. However, police also discovered an unexploded crude bomb at the crime site. The police believe the explosives were launched from the area’s flyover.
“It could not immediately be known who planted those cocktails on the road. We are investigating to identify and nab the perpetrators,” said Arif.
The additional police force has been deployed in the area to avoid any untoward situation, he further said, adding, “Senior officials of DMP have already visited the scene.”
The timing and proximity of the bomb blast to the BNP’s scheduled rally along with opposition coalitions cannot be overlooked. This incident has fueled suspicions and prompted inquiries regarding the possible involvement of any opposition party.
