BNP has claimed that the police stopped the party’s black flag procession in various places of Dhaka, including Motijheel, Uttara, and Mirpur, and detained over 50 leaders and activists of the party.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, at an emergency press conference, said: “Police have so far detained over 50 leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies across the country in a surprise attack during BNP’s black flag procession.”
“About 100 leaders and activists were injured in the police attack,” Rizvi added.
The press conference was held at BNP's Nayapaltan political office around 6:30 pm on Tuesday.
Several BNP leaders said that the police blocked Tuesday's march in Dhaka and other locations outside the capital, beat them with sticks, and prevented them from marching. Additionally, many activists were reportedly taken away in police vans.
The BNP's black flag procession at Motijheel in the capital was brought to a standstill due to police obstruction. The procession was scheduled to occur in front of Pir Jangi Mazar at 3 pm on Tuesday.
BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy attended the program as the chief guest in the afternoon. He left the program after speaking to the media.
Addressing journalists, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy around 2:30 pm said: “You (journalists) have heard that BNP Standing Committee member Moyeen Khan was detained in Uttara. Our leaders and activists were unable to gather here as the police were detaining them.”
“So far, nine people have been detained from Azimpur. We strongly protest against this police harassment and obstruction. Holding meetings and processions is a constitutional right. We informed the police commissioner,” he said.
He added: “We will continue our one-point movement in a democratic and peaceful manner.”
A senior BNP leader reported around 1:30 pm: “The police stopped our leaders and workers from preparing for the black flag march in Mirpur. Several activists were detained there.”
He further said: “The activists who arrived at the rally in Mirpur were suddenly attacked. From there, at least 30 activists, including Ziaur Rahman, a member (Office) of the Dhaka Metropolitan North BNP, were detained.”
BNP Standing Committee member Moyeen Khan was released from Uttara West police station after a brief detention at around 3 pm on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, the BNP claimed that Moyeen Khan was detained from their black flag procession in Uttara, which had been arranged to press home their demands, including a stop to the price hike of commodities, and the release of party chairperson Khaleda Zia and other political prisoners.
The matter was informed by BNP chairperson's media wing official Shamsuddin Didar.
The party also claimed that three other people, including Abdul Moyeen Khan's secretary Bahauddin Bhuiyan Milton and a BNP activist named Moniruzzaman, were taken to Uttara West police station.
Motijheel Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abul Kalam Azad said: “There was no permission granted for a black flag procession today (Tuesday). Therefore, we did not allow it.”
Deputy Commissioner Md Shahjahan of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) North Division said: “The procession, led by Moyeen Khan, was not permitted. Moyeen Khan is currently at his home and was not arrested.”
The BNP claimed that the police halted their pre-announced black flag march at several locations in Dhaka on Tuesday. According to reports, 22 activists were detained in Uttara, and at least 15 activists were apprehended in front of Badda Subastu Tower.
A significant number of law enforcement officers continued to surround the area of the pre-announced flag march in the southern part of Dhaka city until the afternoon.
