Law enforcers cordon off Rajshahi BNP office, March programme cancelled

Members of law enforcement agencies cordoned off the BNP’s Rajshahi office at Malopara in the city and restricted gathering of people and movement of vehicles around the area on Tuesday.

Police and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams were deployed in the area this morning.

They positioned themselves at the entrance of the BNP office, barring entry to anyone, while owners of nearby shops were compelled to keep their shutters down, resulting in cancellation of BNP’s scheduled march programme.

Metropolitan Police issued a press release Monday night about the need of maintaining law and order in light of the forthcoming Rajshahi City Corporation Election.

The press release stated, "Given the circumstances, any unauthorized marches have the potential to disrupt the law and order situation in Rajshahi metropolitan. Thus, in order to ensure public safety and uphold law and order, a ban has been imposed on all types of march programs in Rajshahi Metropolitan on May 23 as per Section 30 of the Rajshahi Metropolitan Act, 1992."

Dicken, former office secretary of BNP in Rajshahi, said, "Our party office has been encircled by the police. No one is allowed to enter.”

Under these circumstances, we have no opportunity to proceed with the planned march programme,” he added.

Suhrawardy, officer-in-charge (OC) of Boalia police station, said, “Due to a BNP leader's threat to assassinate Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the march was not permitted in order to maintain law and order situation in Rajshahi.”