Police banned all political gatherings in Bangladesh’s capital as a major political alliance plans to paralyze the capital with a massive strike starting Sunday to press for election reforms.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police said Saturday it has banned “processions, rallies, demonstrations, sieges, sit-ins and blockades” as well as carrying arms, sticks, oars, explosives and other potential weapons.
The ban came after the alliance led by Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina said Saturday it would choke roads and rail links with sit-ins to press for the resignation of election officials accused of bias.
“We have no other option but to go for street protests,” alliance spokesman Abdul Jalil told reporters Saturday.”We have given time to act, but our demands are not met”.
Obaidul Quader, another alliance spokesman, said protesters would peacefully gather on Sunday at about 24 spots in the capital, Dhaka.
“Our protests will be peaceful,” Quader said.
The alliance has been demanding removal of the Chief Election Commissioner M.A. Aziz and his three deputies, accusing them of favoring former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s four-party coalition. Aziz denied the allegation.
Zia’s alliance is backing Aziz.
Sunday’s protests will come after less than two weeks after deadly political riots over an alleged attempt to rig the upcoming election left at least 27 people dead across the country.
