Jatiya Party alleges police attack at rally, calls it an ‘ominous sign’

The Jatiya Party has alleged that police attacked its workers’ rally outside the party’s central office in Dhaka’s Kakrail, describing the incident as an “ominous sign” for national politics.

The rally was disrupted around 3:30pm on Saturday after clashes ensued between police and party activists.

Officers used batons, tear gas shells and stun grenades to disperse the crowd.

At a press conference held after the incident, party Secretary General Shameem Haider Patwary accused police of using “excessive force”.

He said, “We informed police about the rally. It is true we did not get formal permission. But every party in Bangladesh holds meetings in front of its office, and our gathering was entirely peaceful.”

Ramna Division Deputy Police Commissioner Md Masud Alam, however, said: “They [Jatiya Party] had blocked the entire road for the rally. They were told to move to one side, but they refused and continued the gathering.”

He admitted that tear gas was used to disperse the crowd.

In response, Patwary said: “We informed police about the rally. It is true we did not get formal permission. But every party in Bangladesh holds meetings in front of its office, and our gathering was entirely peaceful.”

Referring to the use of water cannons and stun grenades, Patwary said: “Police applied excessive force at a completely peaceful event. There were crowds of people who could have been trampled.

“I believe the police acted in a completely irresponsible manner.”

He added, “If a political party wants to hold a peaceful rally in front of its office and police obstruct it, that is the rise of new ‘fascism’.”

The party leader said 20 people were injured and eight detained during the police action. “Many required stitches, many bled. When police saw a large crowd, they threw stun grenades.

Patwary, a former MP, also accused police of vandalising chairs at the rally. “We don’t know what anger led police to do this. There is a deep conspiracy behind the whole matter.”

He claimed, “A certain group is trying to suppress the Jatiya Party. This was done at their instigation and under their instruction. It is a sad and dark day for democracy. A peaceful and democratic rally was met with undemocratic use of force.”

“Politics means plurality -- multiple parties operating freely. When you try to suppress one by force, it becomes undemocratic, unconstitutional and against the rule of law,” he added.