Legal action if rallies held sans permit

Dhaka Metropolitan Police has imposed a ban on organising assemblies, rallies, mass gatherings, and use of loudspeakers at these programmes in the capital without prior permission.

A DMP press release yesterday said legal actions would be taken against any violation of the ban.

The ban came at a time when different religious groups held public rallies opposing establishment of Bangabandhu's sculpture in the country.

"It is being noticed recently that various socio-political and religious organisations are announcing programmes like assemblies, rallies and public gatherings in Dhaka without permission from the authorities concerned. Movement of traffic is being disrupted due to various obstacles created on roads because of these programmes," says the release.

The DMP ordinance stipulates that an organisation must obtain prior permission from the DMP for staging such programmes and using sound devices so that the authorities can keep the people's civic rights protected, maintain law and order and control the movement of traffic, it added.

If a deviation occurs, the authorities cannot ensure security of the participants of processions or rallies. Besides, some quarters get the opportunity to cause damage to lives and properties and deteriorate law and order through organising rallies, read the DMP release.

On November 13, a rally was held at Dhupkhola ground in Gandaria under the banner of "Touhidi Janata Oikya Parishad" to oppose the installation of a sculpture of Bangabandhu on the occasion of Mujib Borsho.

On the same day, Hefajat-e-Islam Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haque publicly opposed setting up of Bangabandhu's sculpture at the BMA Auditorium in the capital.

Speaking at a recent programme in Chattogram, Hefajat chief Junaid Babunagari also threatened to pull down and destroy all the sculptures no matter which party puts those up.