The law enforcement agencies are on high alert centering BNP’s October 28 mass rally. As part of their preparations, top officials of several law enforcement agencies including police and RAB held meetings in phases till Wednesday. They have assured the government that the law enforcers are ready to prevent any kind of ill tactics by the conspirators on October 28. Special directives have been given to prevent cyber and street sabotage. Police are taking part dummy exercise ahead of the rally.

However, the country’s people including the residents of Dhaka are passing their days with worry fearing anarchy. Some members of the police force are also worried. Leave has been cancelled for police personnel except in an emergency, said a source of the force.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun told Bangladesh Pratidin that their priority is to give security to the countrymen. If anyone tries to sabotage, they will be resisted. All necessary preparations have been made in this regard. About the allegation of mass arrest and harassment of BNP leaders, he said BNP should allege specifically.    

Sources said intelligence agencies feared sabotage on the October 28 rally despite several peaceful rallies of BNP in Dhaka. Field-level intelligence officials have already informed the Home Ministry. After that, it instructed the law enforcement agencies to prepare themselves.  IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun held several meetings with the RAB DG, DMP commissioner, unit chiefs and higher officials of the intelligence agencies taking the matter seriously. The day-long meeting was held on Sunday last at police headquarters. The meeting discussed the law and order situation on October 28 as the ruling Awami League and BNP announced separate rallies on the same day. Considering the situation, the decision to take additional police from the adjacent districts and cancel leave has been taken in the meeting.    

According to the source, 50 officers in charge of DMP and intelligence agencies have been given separate messages in this regard. They have already started work. The cyber unit of the police is also active in preventing rumours on social media. Adequate riot cars, anti-personnel cars, water cannons, armed carrier vans, rubber bullets, and tear-shell gas have been prepared to tackle probable conflict. As part of the preparation, members of the DMP’s Public Order Management (North and South) have recently taken part in a special exercise on Wednesday. At a function at police lines, DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman recently instructed the police personnel to perform their duties with caution to face the challenges of the upcoming days. 

Several sources said separate teams of detective branches are working to arrest fugitive leaders of the BNP. Some BNP leaders are under observation by the intelligence. These activities will be continued in the next election. The law enforcers will conduct special drives at houses, hotels, transports and messes in the capital within a very short time. Additional forces are being taken to Dhaka. Reserve police and RAB have been kept prepared. Besides, all units of police, range DIGs and SPs have been given special messages ahead of BNP’s rally.

DMP Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) Dr Khandaker Mohid Uddin said there is no scope for Jamaat’s rally at Shapla Chattar. The High Court and the election commission have observations about Jamaat. BNP will have to hold their rally at DMP’s fixed place. Police hope they (BNP) will obey it. 

While asked about sabotage apprehension in the BNP’s rally, he said the law enforcement agencies have enough preparation to give security to the city dwellers.

Commander Khandaker Al Moin, director of the Legal and Media Wing of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), told Bangladesh Pratidin that they will perform their duty to keep safe the lives, properties and belongings of the people.

“We have recently robust patrolling at various streets and highways to save movement of the citizens. The activities of the check post were launched to prevent entering people with subversive materials. RAB intelligence is working to identify the planners of the sabotage. We are also monitoring the cyber world in 24 hours,” he said.  

A source of the police force said all members of the force have been asked to keep the highest cautious as the arms recovery drive will be started in the first week of November. Drive to arrest the fugitive BNP leaders and suspicious persons and block raid drive will also be conducted in the next month. 

Meanwhile, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Wednesday said the government has no plan to block the entrance of Dhaka city centering the BNP's rally, scheduled to be held on 28 October.

“People come to Dhaka for business and jobs. So, why should we close the entrance of Dhaka? If they (BNP) hold their rally peacefully at a certain place, we have nothing to do. We will not obstruct them. But if the BNP wants to create anarchy in the name of rally, then members of the law enforcement agencies will not pass leisure time.”

Replying to another query, the minister said that Jamaat-e-Islami is not a registered party now so they will not be permitted to hold any rally.

As a democratic country, any party can speak and hold rallies within the existing law. Anyone can hold a rally obeying the rules and regulations of the country, he added.   

@ The article was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on October 26, 2023 and has been rewritten in English by Golam Rosul.