The BNP is continuing its attempts to create chaos in the country centring its December 10 rally in capital Dhaka.
As part of its intention, at least three days ahead of the programme, they took to the streets on Wednesday blocking traffic movement, and locked in fierce clashes with law-enforcers resulting in the death of one man and injuries to many others.
During the clashes, BNP men equipped with various weapons and explosives swooped on the law-enforcers. This situation also created panic in capital Dhaka and elsewhere in the country.
According to sources, each and every untoward incident was taking place at the directives of BNP’s acting leader in exile, Tarique Rahman, who is absconding in London. Son of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman is a convict in several cases and also accused on many other charges. Tarique Rahman was also one of the masterminds in the heinous ‘August 21 Grenade Attack’ in 2004. The attempt was made to kill the then opposition leader in the National Parliament, Sheikh Hasina, who is now the Prime Minister.
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Wednesday said BNP men attacked police in the capital's Nayapaltan.
"I have recently come to know that BNP men carried out an attack on police in front of their party office at Nayapaltan," Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said at a rally in Cox's Bazar.
He further said BNP men have been trying to take up positions at their party office three days before their rally scheduled for December 10, he added.
Mentionably, the BNP wants to hold a rally programme on December 10 occupying several busy roads in the capital’s Nayapaltan, where the central office of the BNP is located.
On the other hand, police have been requesting the party to change the rally venue so that mass people do not suffer due to severe traffic jams. The police also offered BNP to hold its programme at ‘Suhrawardy Udyan, which is an open ground and far better place for holding any mass gathering.
But, BNP, mysteriously, is denying the proposal of the law-enforcers and remains rigid in its decision saying that they would hold its programme as per the decision of its leader Tarique Rahman.
Sources also said that due to tremendous pressure from Tarique Rahman, the party's other leaders are not able to decide on holding their rally programme at Suhrawardy Udyan instead of blocking roads in Naya Paltan area on December 10, said sources.
The sources added that Tarique Rahman remains rigid in his decision as part of an attempt to create chaos in the country anyhow. He just wants to cash in on the outcome of the December 10 rally programme through violence.
Meanwhile, a member of the standing committee said on Tuesday that it was BNP's final decision to not hold the December 10 rally at Suhrawardy Udyan.
On the other hand, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) authorities on Tuesday said that the BNP will have to hold its rally programme on December 10 at the capital’s Suhrawardy Udyan, which is approved by the police.
DMP will not allow gatherings on the streets, the official added.
