observance of jan 5 pollS anniversary

Hurdle for BNP, all clear for AL

The ruling Awami League (AL) yesterday observed the third anniversary of the 10th parliamentary election in a festive mood across the country. But its arch rival, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), could not observe its scheduled programmes because of police obstruction and attacks by ruling party activists.
The AL observes January 5 as "Victory Day for Democracy", while the BNP observes it as "Democracy Killing Day". BNP leaders and workers tried to hold rallies and bring out black-flag processions, but members of law enforcement agencies mostly foiled their programmes.
In Barisal, at least 10 BNP leaders and activists were injured from attacks carried out by BCL men. This forced the BNP to stop their programmes in Barisal city.
Local BNP leaders alleged that police and ruling party men deliberately attacked them when they were trying to bring out a black-flag procession in Barisal Sadar. Sramilk League activists were also attacked at Sadar Road of the city yesterday morning. At least 10 persons, including one camera journalist, were injured in the attack. The BNP leaders also alleged that the ruling party men had vandalised their office in Barisal.
Ebaydul Haque Chand, president of the BNP Barisal district unit, claimed that around 50 BNP leaders and workers were injured in the attack. He said police played a "shameful" role during the attack. When asked, AL Barisal city unit executive member Rafiqul Islam Khokon, who allegedly led the attack, said that they only helped the police to control the law and order situation in the city.
Local BNP leaders and workers tried

to bring out black-flag processions in Bogra, Naogaon, Tangail, Khulna and some other places in the country, but the police foiled their attempts by charging batons.  The AL, however, observed the day in a festive mood across the country with the collaboration of law enforcers. To mark the day,  leaders and workers of the ruling party held rallies and cultural programmes. They also brought out colourful processions across the country.   
In Dhaka, the ruling party held two separate rallies—one at Russel Square organised by its Dhaka North city unit and another one at Bangabandhu Avenue organised its Dhaka South city unit—marking the third anniversary of the January 5 poll.
Supporters and activists of the AL have started to gather at the two venues from all corners of Dhaka city.
This year, the BNP did not hold any programme in the capital, but the party sought permission from the authorities concerned to hold a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on January 7 to mark the third anniversary of the January 5 poll.
UNB adds: Accusing a group of ruling party activists of creating chaos in front of its central office, BNP on Thursday alleged that the government is trying to push BNP towards a conflicting situation and violence by instigating its leaders and activists.
“Ruling party cadres under the banner of Projonmo League have created disorder in front of our party office today (Thursday) in presence of police by damaging our banners and posters and beating up our party men. It was a provocation to push BNP towards a conflicting situation and violence,” said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
He came up with the remarks at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office after a joint meeting of the party and its associate bodies ahead of its planned rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on Saturday.
Fakhrul said creating ‘nuisance’ in front of their central office is nothing but a clear ‘case of provocation. “They’re indulging in state terrorism on one hand and carrying out terrorism by their party men on the other... Today’s incident has exposed it is Awami League which is involved in terrorism,” he added.
He said their party wants to observe their programmes peacefully in a democratic manner without responding to any provocation for violence.
The BNP leader alleged that law enforcers and ruling party men attacked their party men at different parts of the country while observing their scheduled ‘black-flag procession’ programme across the country, marking January 5 as ‘democracy killing day’.
He strongly denounced the attacks on their party processions and creating chaos in front of their Nayapaltan central office.
Earlier, BNP announced to hold a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on January 7 and take out procession with black flags wearing black badges on January 5, registering its protest against 10th parliamentary elections, boycotted by the party. Fakhrul said the ruling party leaders had threatened beforehand not to allow BNP to take to the streets on January 5 as part their moves to foil their opponent’s programmes. He said the ruling party tried to foil BNP’s peaceful political programmes as they cannot tolerate the opinions and voice of their opponents.

observance of jan 5 pollS anniversary

Hurdle for BNP, all clear for AL

The ruling Awami League (AL) yesterday observed the third anniversary of the 10th parliamentary election in a festive mood across the country. But its arch rival, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), could not observe its scheduled programmes because of police obstruction and attacks by ruling party activists. The AL observes January 5 as Victory Day for Democracy, while the BNP observes it as Democracy Killing Day. BNP leaders and workers tried to hold rallies and bring out black-flag processions, but members of law enforcement agencies mostly foiled their programmes. In Barisal, at least 10 BNP leaders and activists were injured from attacks carried out by BCL men. This forced the BNP to stop their programmes in Barisal city. Local BNP leaders alleged that police and ruling party men deliberately attacked them when they were trying to bring out a black-flag procession in Barisal Sadar. Sramilk League activists were also attacked at Sadar Road of the city yesterday morning. At least 10 persons, including one camera journalist, were injured in the attack. The BNP leaders also alleged that the ruling party men had vandalised their office in Barisal. Ebaydul Haque Chand, president of the BNP Barisal district unit, claimed that around 50 BNP leaders and workers were injured in the attack. He said police played a shameful role during the attack. When asked, AL Barisal city unit executive member Rafiqul Islam Khokon, who allegedly led the attack, said that they only helped the police to control the law and order situation in the city. Local BNP leaders and workers tried to bring out black-flag processions in Bogra, Naogaon, Tangail, Khulna and some other places in the country, but the police foiled their attempts by charging batons. The AL, however, observed the day in a festive mood across the country with the collaboration of law enforcers. To mark the day, leaders and workers of the ruling party held rallies and cultural programmes. They also brought out colourful processions across the country. In Dhaka, the ruling party held two separate ralliesone at Russel Square organised by its Dhaka North city unit and another one at Bangabandhu Avenue organised its Dhaka South city unitmarking the third anniversary of the January 5 poll. Supporters and activists of the AL have started to gather at the two venues from all corners of Dhaka city. This year, the BNP did not hold any programme in the capital, but the party sought permission from the authorities concerned to hold a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on January 7 to mark the third anniversary of the January 5 poll. UNB adds: Accusing a group of ruling party activists of creating chaos in front of its central office, BNP on Thursday alleged that the government is trying to push BNP towards a conflicting situation and violence by instigating its leaders and activists. Ruling party cadres under the banner of Projonmo League have created disorder in front of our party office today (Thursday) in presence of police by damaging our banners and posters and beating up our party men. It was a provocation to push BNP towards a conflicting situation and violence, said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. He came up with the remarks at a press conference at BNPs Nayapaltan central office after a joint meeting of the party and its associate bodies ahead of its planned rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on Saturday. Fakhrul said creating nuisance in front of their central office is nothing but a clear case of provocation. Theyre indulging in state terrorism on one hand and carrying out terrorism by their party men on the other... Todays incident has exposed it is Awami League which is involved in terrorism, he added. He said their party wants to observe their programmes peacefully in a democratic manner without responding to any provocation for violence. The BNP leader alleged that law enforcers and ruling party men attacked their party men at different parts of the country while observing their scheduled black-flag procession programme across the country, marking January 5 as democracy killing day. He strongly denounced the attacks on their party processions and creating chaos in front of their Nayapaltan central office. Earlier, BNP announced to hold a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on January 7 and take out procession with black flags wearing black badges on January 5, registering its protest against 10th parliamentary elections, boycotted by the party. Fakhrul said the ruling party leaders had threatened beforehand not to allow BNP to take to the streets on January 5 as part their moves to foil their opponents programmes. He said the ruling party tried to foil BNPs peaceful political programmes as they cannot tolerate the opinions and voice of their opponents.