Political tensions are running high in Dhaka with both the ruling Awami League and the Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party set to mark the first anniversary of the general election that the BNP-led coalition boycotted.
The police had locked the BNP’s headquarters and barred its leader, Khaleda Zia, from leaving her Gulshan office since Saturday. Ms. Khaleda Zia has reportedly told her supporters to go ahead with planned agitations on Monday. The government has deployed border guards in Dhaka after a string of arson attacks on public and private vehicles were reported from many parts of the capital. Police said several other towns across the country including Mymensingh were also hit by arson attacks.
The Awami League is set to observe the “day of saving democracy” on January 5 while the BNP will mark it as the day democracy was “killed.”
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The BNP is planning a display of strength by organising a massive street show here. It is yet to get police permission for the rally and said they would not “backtrack” as Monday would be a “do or die” day of action for those seeking ouster of the “illegal and undemocratic” Sheikh Hasina government.
The Awami League, on the other hand, said it would ensure the BNP’s plans were a “total failure.” It is also planning a “mega show” of strength. Earlier, Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Monirul Islam said at a press briefing that the police were at Ms. Zia’s office for her security. The police have prohibited rallies and processions here since Sunday until further notice.
The police have also locked down the BNP’s central office at Naya Paltan and detained the party’s joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, who has reportedly been taken to a hospital “for treatment.” As an added security measure, major road and waterway routes to the capital have been cut off. Anticipating violence, ferry owners have closed down operations.
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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to address the nation on Monday evening.
The Awami League returned to power through the January 5, 2014 election which was boycotted by the BNP-led alliance and marked by widespread violence. The Opposition alliance has been demanding fresh polls under a neutral caretaker government ever since, calling the Sheikh Hasina government “illegal.”