Countrywide demo today:Daily Star

The BNP yesterday announced countrywide demonstrations for today protesting the government's “autocratic decision” to deny it permission to hold a rally at the Suhrawardy Udyan. This was for the 10th time the BNP and the 20-party opposition alliance were refused permission for holding rallies in the capital in last 10 months. BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was scheduled to address at least four of th
ese rallies. On October 29, the BNP submitted applications to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and Public Works Department (PWD) seeking permission to hold the rally on November 8 and use loudspeakers at the venue. Khaleda was supposed to attend the rally which was planned marking the “National Revolution and Solidarity Day”. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami last night through a media release announced that it will stage demonstrations across the country today demanding release of its leaders who are facing charges of committing crime against humanity. Speaking at a press conference at the party's Nayapaltan central office, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir accused DMP of adopting dual standards as it allows the ruling Awami League to hold programmes regularly in the capital and denies permission for opposition programmes, including peaceful human chains. “Police officials now talk in political language. They've become so powerful that they don't allow opposition men to hold any type of political programme,” he added.  Contacted, Masudur Rahman, deputy commissioner (media and public relations) of DMP, said the Suhrawardy Udyan is not under their jurisdiction. Advertisement “It's the Public Works Department who gives permission for holding rallies there. The DMP ensures security if anyone gets permission to this end, but the BNP didn't get permission from them [PWD],” he mentioned. The DMP told BNP that it was ready to ensure security if the party held the rally at any indoor venue instead of the Suhrawardy Udyan, said Rahman. Asked about DMP's claim, a BNP assistant office secretary said when they approached the PWD for permission, it asked the party to have permission from DMP first. The police authorities also responded in the same way, he added.