Law enforcement agencies yesterday obstructed BNP's protest programmes at different party offices, claimed the party in a press release yesterday.
It also said at least 20 leaders and activists of BNP and its various associate organisations were injured as police swooped on them during their protest.
BNP announced yesterday's protest programmes as police denied giving them permission to hold rallies in the capital city marking January 5 as “democracy killing day”.
Police on Friday foiled rallies and processions of BNP and its associate organisations at different districts including in Khulna, Barisal and Chittagong. They also baton charged BNP's leaders and activists in Chittagong and Khulna. At the same time, Awami League marked the day as “victory day for democracy” by holding two rallies in Banani and on the Bangabandhu Avenue in addition to celebrations across the country.
In 2015, on the first anniversary of the January 5, 2014 election, violence erupted across the country stemming from rallies and counter rallies of both parties. The situation remained turbulent for several weeks.
That year, BNP was not granted permission to hold a rally in front of its central office at Naya Paltan. Police kept BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia confined to her Gulshan office by blocking the streets with sand-laden trucks.
Khaleda then called for a countrywide nonstop blockade from January 6 in an attempt to topple the government. The blockade went on until the last week of March.
At least 100 people were killed and around 1,500 injured in arson attacks on public vehicles during the blockade.
In a press release, BNP yesterday claimed that at least 20 BNP men were injured when police swooped on them while they were bringing out a protest procession at Shahbagh and Rampura area yesterday.
The party also claimed 10 BNP men were arrested from Shahbagh --the claim, however, was rejected by Officer-in-Charge of Shahbagh Police Station Abul Hasan.
OC of Rampura Police Station Proloy Kumar Saha also denied any allegation of launching baton charges on BNP processions.
Lambasting police attack on BNP men, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the party's secretary general, yesterday said the government has moved to wipe-out BNP's existence across the country through repression.
“The government won't be able to stop the people's just movement despite arrest and torture of thousands of BNP leaders,” he said in a release.
Meanwhile, four rallies of BNP were obstructed yesterday as the local administration imposed section 144 in Akhanagar, Ruhia, Patiadangi and Dholarhat areas of Thakurgaon sadar upazila.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Aslam Molla said they imposed section 144 in four areas since 10:00am, recognising that the law and order situation may go out of control in the areas.
Officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station Abdul Latif Mia said police were deployed in four spots of rallies to fend off any unwanted situation.
Mirza Fakhrul, who was scheduled to join the rallies, returned from the Shahjalal International Airport in the capital, canceling the visit.
Meanwhile, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Rizvi Ahmed at a press conference yesterday at the party's Naya Paltan central office said the year 2018 will be the year of the people getting their rights back under the leadership of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.
"The countdown to the end of the vote-less government has started," Rizvi said.
Rizvi said Awami League will no more be able to show their force to deter the forward march of the people.
