BNP’s Cumilla rally approved, but with conditions

Conditions include:

• Ban on anti-state statements 
• Limited use of banners, festoons 
• Prohibition of use of sticks as flag poles 
• To end the rally by 4:30pm
• No motorcycle parade inside the city

The Cumilla district administration has permitted the BNP to hold a mass rally on the grounds of Cumilla Town Hall next Saturday, but it has imposed 10 conditions.

The rally permit, signed by Senior Assistant Commissioner of the district administration Rajib Chowdhury, was issued on behalf of the Cumilla district magistrate on Tuesday.

The party received the official permit on Tuesday and was advised not to violate the stipulations, Cumilla South BNP Member Secretary Jasim Uddin and Cumilla Metropolitan BNP Member Secretary Yusuf Molla Tipu confirmed on Wednesday.

The conditions include a ban on any statement that goes against the country's independence, sovereignty, socio-religious values, state image, and national security; limited use of banners, festoons, etc; prohibition of use of sticks as flag poles and loud speakers at high volumes, and to end the rally by 4:30pm.

Moreover, no political vehicles or motorcycle parade will be allowed inside the city, while blocking of roads has to be avoided.

The BNP had earlier arranged mass gatherings in Chattogram, Mymensingh, Khulna, Rangpur, Barishal, Faridpur, and Sylhet. 

But each time, transport strikes were announced in those areas just before the divisional rallies. The BNP alleged that the government was behind the transport strike to foil their rallies, a claim ruling party leaders denied.

As Cumilla district is the lifeline of the country's economy being part of the crucial Dhaka-Chattogram Highway, any transport strike could have far-reaching consequences.

On 22 November, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the party will wage its one-point movement to oust the ruling government from 10 December.

Where will the 10 December rally be held?  

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said the BNP will hold their rally at Naya Paltan on 10 December. 

The party will declare a one-point movement to oust the Awami League government at the rally.

On 15 November, a seven-member BNP delegation met the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner to seek permission for the party's December 10 rally in Nayapaltan in the city. 

However, the DMP asked the BNP to give a list of alternative venues.

Later, the party gave two other locations: Manik Mia Avenue and Suhrawardy Udyan. 

The police, however, want the BNP to hold the rally outside Dhaka city.  

Later, the BNP told reporters that the party took the decision of holding its rally at Naya Paltan. 

Asked about the BNP's Dhaka rally, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told reporters at the Secretariat that the DMP commissioner is looking for a suitable venue for it.