19-party to display black flags at city wards if rally not allowed

The BNP-led 19-party alliance will display black flags at all wards of the city today (Wednesday) if police finally deny it permission to stage its scheduled black-flag procession on the city roads, reports UNB.

Speaking at a press briefing at BNP's Nayapaltan central office, BNP spokesman Asaduzzaman Ripon said police as of 6pm did not give them permission to hold their programme.

"We still hope that the good sense will prevail upon the government and the DMP will allow us taking out black-flag processions on the city streets," he said.

"If we are not given permission, leaders and activists of our party and alliance partners will display black flags at every ward," he added.

Ripon, also the BNP's international affairs secretary, said the alliance leaders and activists will take out black-flag processions across the country even though they fail to stage the processions in the capital.

Meanwhile, the DMP has decided not to allow the 19-party to hold their scheduled programme.

Contacted, Deputy Commissioner (Public Relations) of DMP Masudur Rahman said they have decided not to give permission for holding of the black-flag procession on security grounds.