Police foil Mohila Dal march

Afraid of arrest, Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal leaders and activists crowd the gate of the BNP office instead of trying to step out, as police stand guard right before them at the capital's Nayapaltan yesterday. The female activists gathered there in the morning to bring out a march in observance of International Women's Day but were forced into the office by police on grounds that they did not obtain any permission to hold that programme. Photo: Star

BNP's women wing Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal will organise processions carrying black flags across the country tomorrow to protest the police obstructions foiling its scheduled march to observe International Women's Day in the capital yesterday.
Announcing the nationwide protest through a press conference at BNP's Nayapaltan office in the capital, Mohila Dal General Secretary Shirin Sultana said their activists faced obstructions though they sought permission from police on March 3 regarding the procession.
"It is highly deplorable the way police behaved with our women," said BNP Acting Secretary General Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, addressing the conference. He added, "When the prime minister, speaker, and opposition leader are women, it's unfortunate that Mohila Dal was obstructed," reports UNB.
Witnesses said police dispersed the activists when they gathered in front of the BNP central office at 10:00am from different parts of the city. At one stage, police detained four women through they were freed later. There was a brief scuffle between the activists and police.
An additional deputy commissioner of Dhaka city police, Asaduzzaman, said Mohila Dal did not have approval. “We can't allow activities that will disrupt public life,” he said.
Shirin, however, claimed that they were not informed of the denial of permission, adds UNB.