BNP denied permission to form human chain

The BNP-led 20-party alliance is determined to form a human chain in the capital today though police have denied the permission. Earlier, the ruling Awami League requested the alliance to call off the programme.

The BNP-led alliance on Monday announced to the programme to be held in the capital and elsewhere in the country to mark the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.

On the other side, the AL had earlier this month declared a month-long programme including a rally today to mark August 15, the National Mourning Day.

The AL at a meeting on Thursday requested the BNP-led alliance to withdraw its programme scheduled for today, saying Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would address a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan at 3:00pm.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) yesterday confirmed they had not given permission to the alliance to hold their programme for the sake of public security and law and order in the capital.

"We did not give permission as there was a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan by another political party. Simultaneous programmes on the same day by two political parties might create chaos," DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media) Masudur Rahman told The Daily Star.

Contacted, BNP Joint Secretary General Rizvi Ahmed admitted that they did not get the permission as of 8:30 last night. The BNP leader, however, expressed the hope they would get the permission.

He said they had taken preparations to form the human chain from Dainik Bangla intersection to the Jatiya Press Club.

The site is only a few hundred metres away from Suhrawardy Udyan.

When his attention was drawn to the AL's request, Rizvi said the ruling party would hold its rally at 3:00pm but the human chain was scheduled for 11:00am.

So, there would be no chance of chaos, Rizvi added.