BNP, Jamaat and NCP Take to Streets in Chattogram to Prevent Banned Chhatra League’s Anarchy
Local leaders and activists of the BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the National Citizen Party (NCP), Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Islami Chhatra Shibir and Chhatra Shakti took a united stand in Chattogram on Tuesday morning after night-long patrols and protest rallies against the alleged anarchy and violent activities of the banned Chhatra League.
Since late Monday night, activists of Chhatra Dal, NCP, Chhatra Shakti and Chhatra Shibir had kept watch at several key points across the city.
In protest against arson and violence carried out in the name of a so-called blockade, the youth wing of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Chattogram city unit organised a motorcycle rally on Tuesday (November 10).
Led by Muhammad Shamsuzzaman Helaly, president of the city youth wing, the rally began at Bahaddarhat, passed through several major roads and ended in front of the Chattogram Press Club in Jamal Khan.
More than 100 motorcycles took part in the rally. Participants chanted slogans protesting arson, violence and threats to public safety in the name of the blockade. They rode through several roads across the city.
Among those present were Muhammad Shafiul Alam, vice-president of the city youth wing, secretary A N M Zubayer and activists from different levels of the organisation.
After the rally, Shamsuzzaman Helaly said putting ordinary people’s lives, property and public safety at risk in the name of political programmes was completely unacceptable. He called on all concerned to act responsibly to ensure the safety of city residents and allow them to continue their daily activities without disruption.
Meanwhile, Chhatra Shibir held a motorcycle parade at the University of Chittagong. From 1am to 4am, members of various anti-fascist organisations were seen patrolling with sticks to prevent Chhatra League activities in several areas, including GEC Mor, Probortak, Gate No. 2 and Dewanhat. Chhatra Shibir and Chhatra Dal activists also conducted motorcycle processions across the city.
Law enforcement agencies remained on high alert throughout Chattogram to prevent arson and possible disorder by Chhatra League activists. Adequate numbers of police and Armed Police Battalion (APBn) members were deployed at major intersections and key locations, including Bahaddarhat, GEC, Tigerpass, New Market, Chawkbazar, Lalkhan Bazar, Alankar, AK Khan, Bandar Police Station and the Export Processing Zone (EPZ).
According to the Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP), patrols have been strengthened to maintain law and order across the city. Police are prepared to take firm action to prevent any untoward incidents.
Earlier, a bus caught fire in the city’s Kalurghat area around midnight on Monday. There were also reports of several cocktail bomb explosions in the New Market area. Videos of both incidents circulated on social media, but no casualties were reported.
Assistant Commissioner Aminur Rashid of the CMP’s Public Relations Division said no untoward incidents had been reported from Monday night until the time of his statement. He added that the police remained on high alert, had deployed personnel at key intersections and had increased patrols.
