The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed restrictions on any meeting, assembly, gathering, rally or procession in the capital's Kakrail and its contiguous areas today (Saturday).
The DMP issued a notification to this effect on Friday.
The ban followed the flare-up of political tensions as both the Jatiya Party (JP) and anti-fascist student groups earlier declared simultaneous rallies at 11:00 am at a same location for today.
JP intended to hold its rally outside its Bijoynagar office, while the anti-fascist students also announced a counter-demonstration there.
At a press conference at Dhaka University on Friday, students under the banner of the 'Anti-fascist Students, Workers and People' vowed to hold their rally at any cost.
"The JP's rally was part of the fascist Awami League's strategy to renew its presence in the political landscape," they claimed.
In response, the anti-fascist groups planned resistance rallies outside JP offices nationwide.
Meanwhile, JP chairman GM Quader on Friday reaffirmed holding a rally on schedule outside the party's headquarters, protesting cases filed against JP leaders and the price spiral of essentials.
He pledged to continue to make a firm stand against injustice and discrimination even at his personal risk.
Mr Quader also alleged that his party was "blackmailed" into participating in polls during the AL rule, emphasising that this involvement was not voluntary.
He recounted JP's role in the 9th parliamentary election in 2008 through to the latest 12th one in 2024.
Recalling Thursday's incident at the party office, Mr Quader condemned an attack by a group marching under the anti-fascist banner.
The attackers allegedly set fire to and vandalised the Kakrail office during a preparatory meeting for Saturday's rally.
Mr Quader encouraged his supporters to stand their ground, saying: "Don't be afraid-we are ready to give our lives, if necessary. Let's see how many they are willing to kill."
"If you cannot physically protest, speak up; if not, harbour hatred in your heart. We are prepared to sacrifice everything," he exhorted party activists.
Refuting the view that JP was an Awami League ally, the younger brother of the late JP chairman HM Ershad argued that the party was being cast in a role it did not recognise.
He also questioned whether the benefits of political movements in which JP participated were reaching the general public.
"The nation feels divided, with certain groups assuming control. We extended our support, as did the people, but our role seems unacknowledged. They're creating divisions, as was done under our former leader, PM Sheikh Hasina."
Uttering annoyance at the interim government's chief adviser for his silence on accusations against JP, Mr Quader said, "Our chief adviser, whom we regard as a national guardian, has remained silent despite allegations from his own circle. This is a matter of deep regret for us."
He called for Dr Yunus to adopt an impartial stance, saying: "As our guardian, you should treat us all equally. If we have erred, judge and reprimand us, but also embrace us."
JP secretary general Mujibul Haque Chunnu, and presidium members Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan, Alamgir Sikder and Sherifa Quader, among others, were present at the briefing.
Student protesters became embroiled in an altercation with JP supporters outside the party's office on Thursday evening, leading to a clash with them.
Both sides later claimed they came under attack first. Fire service came in to put out a fire on the JP office.
Earlier on Thursday, anti-fascist protest leaders, including former Chhatra Odhikar Parishad president Bin Yamin Molla, led a torch procession from Raju Memorial Sculpture to Bijoynagar, aiming to "besiege" JP's office in protest of "the political activities and alleged conspiracies of the Awami League and JP."
Around 7:00 pm, Hasnat Abdullah, a coordinator of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, claimed in a Facebook post that JP members attacked the protesters and "displayed weapons."
He called for the removal of what he described as "national traitors."
Later, Hasnat announced an 8:30 pm march to Bijoynagar to "eliminate these traitors."
By 8:15 pm, the ground floor of the Jatiya Party office was ablaze, which the Fire Service extinguished shortly after.
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