As the day draws nearer, tensions and anxiety are rising around October 28 due to the opposing positions of the two major parties in the political field, there is now an unknown fear in the public mind.
Various discussions and rumors are going on. Law enforcement agencies are also on high alert. The officials are sitting in meetings from time to time. He is giving various instructions at the field level.
They said they are ready to face any situation to protect lives. Amid such multi-faceted concerns, US Ambassador Peter Haas met Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Sunday. The ambassador emphasized the importance of peaceful assembly and non-interference participation.
Several political parties, including BNP, are agitating to demand elections under a non-partisan interim government. The teams have already entered the field with various programs. Now they are going to go down in the final movement. As a part of this, BNP will hold a mass meeting in front of the central office in Dhaka's Nayapaltan on October 28.
From this rally, the party will embark on the final movement to overthrow the government. BNP wants to turn Dhaka city into a procession city on that day. The ruling party will also hold the same program in Dhaka on the same day. Awami League leaders and activists will be on the streets with all-out preparations to ensure the safety of people's lives and property, fearing that BNP may lead to anarchy. The party has planned a mass gathering in the Gulistan area besides guarding the neighborhood-area intersection to give a stern response to any disturbance in the capital in the name of the movement.
Regarding the political programs of the two parties, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan told reporters that the law and order forces will try so that Dhaka does not become immobile. The police will work to keep the roads open. The 28th will not be allowed to paralyze Dhaka. If the BNP rally is peaceful, there will be no hindrance.
Regarding the discussion with the US Ambassador, the Home Minister said that if one million people or more enter Dhaka city, as they (BNP) are saying, then there will be a mismatch in communication. We request that they do not.
The minister said Peter Haas wants to know whether we will stop coming and going or not. We said, why stop coming and going? Everyone needs it in Dhaka. Patient needs, need in case of going abroad. There is no question of stopping coming and going. They will come, they will go, we will not stop them there. We don't even care. We will only say that they should not indulge in any violence. Let them keep the traffic on the road, that's all we request. We have conveyed the same to the ambassador.
Regarding BNP's program, the Home Minister also said that Dhaka is already a city of traffic jams. They say 1 million people will come from outside, there could be a severe traffic jam. Those who come for various services or to go abroad will face various difficulties. This will be watched by our police force with patience. They will do whatever is necessary to clear the roads.
When asked if it was within diplomatic etiquette for an ambassador to inquire about the specific program of a political party, the minister said, he is the ambassador of a state, he asked the question, and we answered him. Whether it can or not is not for me to see. It is our foreign minister, the ministry of foreign affairs.
The minister said that Peter Haas talked about many things beyond that. The Rohingya issue was discussed. They want to take some Rohingyas to different countries, our SB clearance is delayed. We assured them, it is a headache for us too. If it is taken to another country, we welcome it. We will do this as soon as possible. Apart from this, Haas wanted to know about the security of the puja. All arrangements have been made for a peaceful celebration. The ambassador expressed his satisfaction with the situation.
When asked about the government during the election, the minister said that it is the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister.
While leaving, the US ambassador told reporters, “I hope that Durga Puja will be peaceful." Apart from this, we hope that the political program on October 28 after Durga Puja will be celebrated peacefully and without violence.”
Meanwhile, police said, there was no security threat on October 28, centered on BNP's rally. No fear of sabotage. But the police are cautious. Regular police search operations and security patrols at checkposts will continue. The police will be active in the arrest of the accused under the warrant of the court.
Speaking at a press conference, chief of the Detective Branch (DB) Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid said that political parties will carry out their political programs. We will take maximum security measures. All these are routine police work.
In response to a question about the arrest of BNP leaders, the DB chief said that various developmental works are going on in the capital. We have regular patrols so that no one can commit criminal acts or disorder. There are no check posts or patrols around the rally of any political party.
Explaining the reason for setting up the check post, the DB chief said that many foreigners come and commit various crimes in Dhaka every day. There are many buildings of state importance. Check posts are installed to ensure their security and prevent vandalism. People are able to move smoothly in Dhaka especially because the police always conduct operations against crime.
In response to another question from the journalists, the DB chief said that multiple political parties could not hold a rally in Dhaka city. Currently, three to four rallies are taking place on the same day, with police providing security at each venue. At this time, he emphasized, "Nothing will happen on October 28."
@ The article was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on October 23, 2023 and has been rewritten in English by Tanvir Raihan.
