A determined Awami League (AL) is ready to resist the BNP-led 18 Party Alliance’s attempt to create trouble and disruption in the city, under the cover of its March for Democracy, towards Dhaka, on Sunday. Party sources said the leaders and workers of Awami League and its associate bodies—Awami Jubo League, Chhatra League, Sechchasebok League and Krishok League—have been asked to take to the streets, to tackle the opposition activists.
Talking to The Independent, Dhaka City Awami League acting president MA Aziz said leaders and party workers have been asked to be stationed at every strategic point in the city, so that the Jamaat-Shibir and the BNP activists cannot unleash any destructive activities, in the name of March for Democracy. The AL leader said that the party leaders and workers have been asked to remain alert at their respective wards, to face the opposition activists.
Meanwhile, in a city programme, Dhaka City AL general secretary Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya said Khaleda Zia would be given a fitting reply, if she tries to disrespect the National Flag, in the name of observing March for Democracy programme in Dhaka.
“You will be given a fitting reply for your conspiracy to disrespect the National Flag,” Maya said, while addressing an extended meeting of the party in its headquarters at Bangabandhu Avenue in the city on Saturday.
He told the party workers to remain vigilant at each entry point of the city, so that no opposition activists enter into the city. Even if a single opposition activist enters through its nine entry points, stern action will be taken against those party leaders.
“The party leaders and workers who remain vigilant and resist the opposition marchers, will be awarded,” he said.
Addressing the meeting, communications minister and Awami League presidium member, Obaidul Quader, said that the party would remain alert at the capital’s key points, to deal with the marchers. “We will remain on guard at every ward of the capital, to face the opposition’s programme, politically and at the organisational level, as the BNP has called for the march, to mock democracy,” he said.
The AL leader told party workers that they should not attack anybody first, but if anyone tries to create trouble, he should be dealt with accordingly. Law enforcers will also remain on guard to tackle any untoward situation, he added.
Meanwhile, the capital is virtually cut off from the rest of the country, as the pro-Awami League transport associations stopped operating buses and ferries, to foil Sunday’s March for Democracy.
Even most public transports were kept off the city streets ahead of Sunday’s programme.
The ruling party informed the administration, as well as the law enforcement agencies, about its decision to resist the opposition’s programme, to avert any untoward situation, the party sources said.
As part of the AL-led government’s instructions, law enforcers have been carrying out arrest drives across the country over the past three days.
Hundreds of people, a majority of them being opposition activists, were rounded up from different parts of the country. They were charged with vandalism and sabotage.
Joint forces, comprising police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) are also targeting listed criminals during their massive crackdown to maintain law and order ahead of the general election.
-With The Independent input
