Govt may opt to go easy on BNP protests

"Police will not create any obstacle to the peaceful political programmes by any opposition parties, and this is the stance of the government and the [ruling] party as well."

— Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan

The ruling Awami League has hinted it will try to handle BNP's ongoing protests deftly, as the government is under "pressure" from the international community for its highhandedness towards the opposition programmes.

The party high-ups have already instructed its leaders and activists not to engage in violence at the opposition rallies and processions that began late last month over the price hike of daily essentials and fuel, said AL insiders.

The police have also been directed not to arrest BNP leaders and activists en masse until the situation starts "spiralling out of control", said sources with knowledge of the matter.

"No one will be spared if they make an attack defying the party chief's [Sheikh Hasina] directives. The liabilities of such actions will eventually fall on the government. Our leader does not tolerate such misdeeds…," AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader told a meeting at the party president's Dhanmondi office on Monday.

Quader reiterated the warning the following day, but added that the BNP should not create anarchy in the name of demonstrations.

BNP's ongoing demonstrations began on August 22 with reassurances from the top level of the government that the programmes would not be restricted.

But violent attacks by the ruling party activists on BNP events kept making headlines while the opposition leaders and activists faced arrests. Four BNP men got killed and scores injured.

Wednesday's clashes between police and BNP activists in Munshiganj left a Jubo Dal leader dead.

On September 17, AL men allegedly attacked BNP leaders and activists at a demonstration in the capital's Banani.

These incidents have been putting the government under pressure at home and abroad, said party sources.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Monday met Obaidul Quader at AL president's Dhanmondi office and asked what the police should do about BNP's ongoing protests, according to sources.

Kamal also wanted to know what the home ministry's stance should be in the coming days, they added.

Quader advised Kamal to "go slow" and let the BNP demonstrate as long as the programmes remain peaceful.

Contacted, the home minister yesterday said, "Police will not create any obstacle to the peaceful political programmes by any opposition parties, and this is the stance of the government and the [ruling] party as well… But the police will not tolerate anyone creating anarchy in the name of demonstration."

About Wednesday's clashes between police and BNP men in Munshiganj, the minister said he had asked the superintendent of police in the district to investigate the cause of the incident.

At least 50 people, including BNP leaders, activists, and police, were injured in the clashes when BNP men tried to attend a rally in the district.

A top police official, wishing not to be named, told this newspaper that all units were asked to go easy on demonstrators and ensure security.

According to sources in law enforcement agencies, police are preparing a list of BNP leaders and activists who were seen at the forefront of the party's previous anti-government protests across the country.

Police are listing those who were accused in cases previously, they said, adding that officers will also focus on the incomplete investigation of important cases.

If the BNP tries to create anarchy, law enforcers would act tough and arrest the listed leaders, said sources.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told a press conference on Wednesday that police were causing panic in the name of collecting personal information of opposition leaders and activists by going door to door.

According to the BNP, over 1,000 BNP leaders and activists have been arrested recently and about 150 cases were filed against them in different districts last month. There were attacks on 52 events while the houses of BNP leaders and activists were vandalised in 18 places.

Although the AL plans to "go slow" regarding BNP's events, the party has planned to act tough with its longtime ally Jatiya Party Co-Chairman GM Quader because it is believed that Quader has reached an understanding with the BNP about a simultaneous anti-government movement.

GM Quader and JP Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu have been criticising the government in recent days.

On Friday, GM Quader said his party does not belong to any political alliance.

In the national polls in 2014 and 2018, the JP participated as an electoral ally of the AL.