Leaders and activists of the ruling Awami League and its various associate bodies have taken a position in different parts of the capital while the BNP is holding a mass sit-in programme at its Nayapaltan headquarters and across the country.

Government must respect its freedom of assembly, and stop creating obstacles

The peaceful electoral atmosphere that prevailed in the country for the last two weeks was suddenly marred by yesterday's clash between BNP activists and police in front of the party's Naya Paltan central office.

Police yesterday charged truncheons and used water cannons on BNP men to foil their black flag programme in the capital's Nayapaltan.

A group of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leaders protesting “nepotism” in formation of its new committee set fire to at least three motorbikes in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office in Dhaka.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is scheduled to join the party’s rally marking the January 5 general election at its Nayapaltan central office in Dhaka.