No permission for Jamaat rally in Dhaka: DMP

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has decided not to extend permission to Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami to hold a rally in the capital on 28 October.

Biplob Kumar Sarker, joint commissioner of the DMP, confirmed the decision to Prothom Alo on Tuesday evening.

Jamaat submitted an application to the DMP commissioner on Monday, seeking permission to hold a 'peaceful' grand rally in the capital's Shapla Chattar area on 28 October.

Their demands include reinstatement of the caretaker government, release of imprisoned party men and Islamic scholars, and reining in the skyrocketing commodity prices.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has also announced a grand rally in the capital on the same date.

However, the DMP is planning to fix a venue for the BNP rally and is optimistic that the party will comply with the DMP's decision, said DMP officials.

Regarding the BNP rally, Biplob Kumar Sarker said the DMP is yet to reach any decision regarding the location of the BNP rally.

Political tension has continued to rise throughout the country as opposition parties, led by BNP, remained steadfast in their demand for introduction of a neutral election-time government, while ruling Awami League is hellbent on holding another election under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The BNP has been in a continuous movement for more than one year, with other opposition parties joining at times. However, Jamaat held separate programmes with the same demand.