AL men occupy Dhaka streets defying ban

Amid police restrictions on political gatherings in Dhaka, ruling Awami League and its associate bodies took positions at different points of the capital and brought out processions today.

Several hundred activists of BCL, student body of ruling AL, brought out a procession carrying banners and chanting slogans in presence of law enforcers on Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue around noon.

Defying the ban by Dhaka Metropolitan Police, the ruling party men formed a human chain stretching from Ananda Cinema Hall to Khamarbari intersection on Indira road in the afternoon.

AL supporters were seen on streets at different key points of Dhaka including Paltan, Bangabandhu Avenue, Shewrapara, Mirpur-1, Mirpur-10, Motijheel, Malibagh and Kakrail, report our correspondents covering the incidents.

Earlier, both the ruling and opposition alliances announced counter programmes for today centering the first anniversary of January 5 one-sided national election. The BNP-led alliance boycotted the polls.

Amid simmering political situation, the DMP imposed the ban on all political activities for indefinite period from yesterday afternoon.

This morning, AL postponed its today’s rally scheduled to be held at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka, saying what they termed ‘showing respect to law.’

Meanwhile, BNP Chairperson Khaleda on Sunday called upon the leaders and activists of the 20-party alliance to defy the ban to make their January 5 rally a success.

She also called upon her party men to remain on the streets to ensure success of their movement.

Instead of opposition supporters, the ruling party men have kept their dominance on the streets across the capital.

In a very few cases, the 20-party alliance activists were seen charging some cocktails and chanting slogans in very small groups at some points in the city.