BNP to march in districts, Jubo League to hold rallies today

The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will hold march programmes today, Saturday in its 66 organisational districts to press home its 10-point demand including to hold the next parliamentary election under a neutral caretaker government.

The party central leaders including standing committee members will join the march programmes.

BNP's other demands include reducing the prices of essentials, refraining from infliction of torture on its leaders and activists, the release of leaders and activists from jail and the resignation of the government.

However, the party will hold its Dhaka district march programme on Sunday. Party sources said they have deferred the programme due to 25 February the 'BDR Tragedy Day' in Pilkhana.

BNP may hold a demonstration march at each thana of Metropolitan areas on 4 March protesting against the repression by Awami League's student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) at the educational institutions, activists of BNP and its like-minded parties have said.

Meanwhile, Awami League's associate body Jubo League will hold peace rallies as counter programmes of BNP. Last week, JL announced they would hold a three-day peace rally. The organisation will hold peace rallies at all districts and metropolitan cities today, at every upazila, thana and municipality on Sunday and at all unions on Tuesday.

Jubo League in a press release said they would hold these rallies  across the country protesting against 'the violence and anarchy' of BNP-Jamaat, and continue the development activities led by prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Dhaka district Awami League will also hold a peace rally on Sunday. The rally will be held in front of the main office of Awami League at Keraniganj model thana in Ghatarchar area at 3:00pm. Party general secretary Obaidul Quader will join the rally as the chief guest.

Jamaat-e-Islami has also declared that they would hold a demonstration procession demanding the release of its leaders and activists including its ameer Shafiqur Rahman and holding the next parliamentary election under a neutral caretaker government.

Jamaat sought permission from Dhaka Metropolitan Police to start the procession from the premises at the north of Baitul Mokarrom at 3:00pm today, Saturday. Jamaat Dhaka Metropolitan south unit ameer Nurul Islam in a statement expressed anger as they didn't get permission till yesterday night.

Besides, like-minded professional democratic alliance will hold a march programme from Purana Paltan intersection to Fakirapool intersection via Dainik Bangla intersection at 11:00am today. The 12-party alliance will not a march programme. They hold a discussion at Shishu-Kishore auditorium at 11:00am to mark Shaheed Sena Dibas (martyred army day).