December 10 rally: BNP to meet IGP today over venue
The BNP will meet the inspector general of police today to press again for permission to hold its December 10 rally in front of its Nayapaltan office.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police had earlier given the party permission to hold the rally at Suhrwardy Udyan, but the party remains adamant on holding it in front of its headquarters in the capital.
Expressing firm resolve, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday said, "We want to clearly say that please change your [IGP's] decision, try to understand people's pulse and take initiative so that we can hold our rally at Nayapaltan.
" ... Take all the necessary steps so we can conduct the rally peacefully."
He was speaking at a rally in Nayapaltan. Dhaka North and South City BNP organised it to protest the "false cases" filed against the party leaders and activists.
A BNP delegation, led by its Vice-chairman Barkatullah Bulu, will meet Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun at 1:00pm at the police headquarters.
The BNP on Tuesday was given permission to hold its rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on 26 conditions.
About why the party cannot hold the rally there, Fakhrul said, "We are not comfortable there. It is surrounded by walls and people can enter through only one gate.
"Now, it is your [the government's] responsibility to take steps and ensure we can hold our rally at Nayapaltan. Otherwise, you will have to shoulder the responsibility [for any untoward situation]."
The BNP leader said they had sent a letter to the DMP commissioner around a month ago saying they want their rally in front of their office.
He said the commissioner responded saying there would be traffic jam if it is held at Nayapaltan. "It's a lame excuse … Saturday is a holiday. So, there wouldn't be much traffic that day."
Fakhrul further said the people of Dhaka division have taken up the challenge to hold a successful rally on December 10. "We have to make the rally successful and we will."
Alleging that the government has been desperate to stop the BNP's divisional rallies, he said, "Many rallies and grand rallies were held at Nayapaltan before with no problems."
He once again asked the government to take a safe exit. "Otherwise, you know the history.
"People have woken up. This movement is to free people from misrule."
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