BNP Holds Protest Rally in Demra Against Alleged Arson and Anarchy

Demra unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) staged a protest procession and rally in Dhaka's Demra area Wednesday, protesting what the party described as a planned campaign of arson, violence and anarchy across the country and demanding immediate arrest of those allegedly involved.

The programme was organised by Demra Thana BNP under the direction of Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP Convener Rafiqul Alam Majnu and Member Secretary Tanvir Ahmed Robin. Sekandar Ali, head of Organisational Team-6 of Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP, provided overall supervision.

The procession began around 4 pm from Sarulia cattle market and passed through Sarulia Monu Molla Market, Tengra Khondkar Mor, Matbar Bari, Rasul Nagar, Haji Moazzem Ali Adarsha High School, Haji Nagar Auto Stand and Demra Staff Quarter-Rampura Road before passing by Urmi Garments and ending at Staff Quarter.

SM Reza Chowdhury Selim, former convener of Demra Thana BNP, attended as chief guest. The rally was chaired by Md Anisuzzaman, former senior joint convener of Demra Thana BNP, holding the rank of member secretary.

The procession and rally were conducted under the coordination of Md Monir Hossain Khan, a former member of Demra Thana BNP's convening committee responsible for office affairs and a former student leader.

Among those attending were former joint conveners of Demra Thana BNP Mostafizur Rahman Khokon, Md Khorshed Alam and Md Ahidul Islam, as well as former members Md Ahadullah, Md Ismail Hossain, AB Parvez, Omar Faruk Bhuiyan, Rafiqul Islam and Md Sujon. BNP leader Saddam Hossain and former general secretary of Sarulia Union BNP Md Shahin Mia also took part.

Leaders of BNP's affiliated and associate organisations were also present, including Demra Thana Sramik Dal Member Secretary Mazharul Anwar, Krishak Dal Convener Rashedul Islam Shyamol, Olama Dal Convener Md Alauddin Pradip, Matsyajibi Dal Convener Md Jahangir Hossain, Mahila Dal Senior Vice-President Taslima Begum and Jiya Mancha President Golam Kibria.

Leaders from different wards also joined, including Md Mofazzal Hossain and Md Sirajul Islam of Ward 67 BNP; Md Alamgir Mia and Mir Delwar Hossain of Ward 68 BNP; Golam Mortza Babu and Joint Convener Zakir Hossain of Ward 68 Jubo Dal; and Md Billal Hossain and Md Nur Islam of Ward 68 Sramik Dal and Krishak Dal, respectively.

A large number of BNP activists and supporters from Demra Thana unit and its affiliated and associate organisations participated in the procession, while local residents also expressed solidarity, according to organisers.

At a brief rally held after the procession, speakers alleged that attempts were being made to destabilise the country through violence and disorder. They warned that, in their words, "the people will firmly resist any attempt to destabilise the country."

The speakers also called for immediate arrest and prosecution of individuals allegedly involved in acts of violence, extortion and drug trafficking, as well as those they described as the "godfathers" behind such activities.

They urged authorities to take immediate legal action against those responsible and bring them to justice.