Jubo League announces counter-demonstration at Dhaka’s entry points

Jubo League, the youth front of the ruling Awami League, has announced peace rallies for Saturday at the entrances to Dhaka city apparently to counter the BNP’s sit-in programmes at the same venues.

The Jubo League rallies will be held at Abdullahpur, Tongi, Gabtoli, Aminbazar, Babuh Bazar, Signboard, Kanchpur, Jatrabari and other entry points of the city from 10am to 5pm, the organisation’s Deputy Office Secretary Md Delwar Hossain Shahjada said on Friday.

BNP activists will occupy the points of entry to the capital from 11am to 4pm demanding resignation of the Sheikh Hasina government, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced at a rally in Naya Paltan earlier on Friday, reports bdnews24.com.

The BNP’s programme fuelled fears of a violent confrontation as the Awami League held a rally of three of its affiliate organisations, including Jubo League, outside Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, less than two kilometres from the BNP’s event.

The ruling party did not announce any counter-demonstration at its rally, but its General Secretary Obaidul Quader alerted leaders and activists to possible violence during the BNP’s programmes.

“Bangabandhu and Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League will always remain vigilant to protect the lives and properties of the people of Bangladesh,” he said, threatening to obstruct BNP activists from joining the sit-ins if they try to block the entrances to Dhaka.