Ban on rallies in city still in force: Home minister

BRAHMANBARIA, Feb 17 (UNB): Mentioning that the ban slapped by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on holding any rally in the capital is still in force, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said on Saturday it will decide about allowing BNP to hold a rally once the ban is lifted.
"The ban imposed by the DMP commissioner has not yet been withdrawn. After lifting the ban, the commissioner will decide where to allow the rally that won't affect the law and order," he said.
The minister was addressing a programme at Ustad Alauddin Khan Memorial Auditorium marking the launching of a book titled 'Jibon Smrity-2', an autobiography of freedom fighter Humayun Kabir.
BNP on Friday announced to hold a public rally in the city on February 22, demanding the release of its chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail.
Speaking at a press briefing at the BNP's Nayapaltan central office, party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said they decided to hold the rally either at Suhrawardy Udyan or in front of their central office.
He said they have already sought permission from the authorities concerned for arranging the programme.
Ahead of the verdict against the BNP chief and five others in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case delivered on February 8, the DMP on February 6 slapped a ban on holding any procession and carrying sharp weapons, explosives, flammable materials in the capital until further notice.
The home minister, however, said police do not obstruct any peaceful programme of BNP.
Among others, RAN Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury, MP, Deputy Inspector General of police (Chittagong Range) Md Moniruzzaman, Deputy Commissioner of Brahmanbaria Rezwaunur Rahman and Police Super Mizanur Rahman attended the programme with Brahmanbaria municipality mayor Nayar Kabir in the chair.