Fakhrul protests as police foil BNP rally

FE Team | Published: May 23, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

Police barred BNP from holding a rally at the Engineers Institute in the city Thursday afternoon, report agencies.
Dhaka City BNP was arranging the rally in protest against the rising incidents of killing, forced disappearance and abduction across the country.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was scheduled to address the rally as the chief guest. Eminent citizens, senior journalists and foreign diplomats were invited to attend the programme.
"'Senior police officials told us we're not allowed to hold the rally as Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) did not give us permission," Dhaka City BNP member secretary Abdus Salam said.
Meanwhile, acting Secretary General of the party Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said there was no democracy in Bangladesh and it had been proved. He said this after police foiled the meeting.
"This government has obstructed our meeting in a completely illegal and undemocratic way," he said.
BNP leaders were set to hold a meeting Thursday night to finalise programmes protesting against the police obstruction.
Hearing about the developments, Fakhrul came to the IEB Thursday noon and sent three senior leaders including Joint Secretary General Barkat Ullah Bulu to the office of Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner.
After their efforts to secure permission failed, Fakhrul told reporters, "This is the proof how this illegal government is denying basic rights."
The party had obtained permission from the IEB authorities several days ago for the meeting, he said, adding that they had also written to the DMP.