Joint Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Biplob Kumar Sarkar on Thursday said that there is no way to allow Jamaat-e-Islami to hold a rally at Shapla Chattar in the city on October 28.
"Zero tolerance for rally by Jamaat-e-Islami. They won't be allowed to hold meetings in Dhaka city. To curb public sufferings, the DMP has requested Awami League and BNP to look for alternative places for their public meetings instead of streets," he told journalists at his office.
Biplob said the DMP has told those who announced programmes of gatherings in Dhaka city to hold rallies in open places other than on roads.
"It can be an open space or a field. Dhaka is a mega city. If thousands of people congregate here, then two and a half crore city dwellers face problems, those who are sick face difficulties to go to hospital or doctor," he added.
Considering ease of movement of city dwellers, the DMP joint commissioner suggested political parties to hold their rallies in other places instead of streets.
"They (Political party) will take decisions where they will hold meetings. Let them decide that," he said.
Biplob Kumar Sarkar, however, said that similar letters were given to Awami League and BNP, adding, "Till now, no other decision was made. So far, political parties have not announced any decision to hold rallies elsewhere. We hope that political parties will take a decision considering sufferings of the city dwellers."
About BNP Secretary General's remarks, he said that political leaders often say many things to strengthen their workers. "We do not consider that. We are considering legal matters. If you want to hold a rally in Dhaka city, you have to take DMP commissioner's permission according to the ordinance. It is a legal obligation. If anyone does not do that, it will be a violation of the law. So, we hope that political parties will decide showing respect to the law and cooperate with police," he added.
