A faction of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) held a procession and rally in Derai, Sunamganj, despite a Section 144 order imposed by the upazila administration.
Tension had been prevailing in Derai municipal town since the morning over the planned rally. A large number of police personnel were deployed at Thana Point, Derai Bazar, College Road and the Baghanbari Community Centre area to maintain law and order.
The rally was held on Saturday (August 8) at the premises of the Baghanbari Community Centre in the municipal town. Earlier, supporters of the two rival BNP factions brought out processions and counter-processions in different areas, including Thana Point.
According to local sources, supporters of Sunamganj-2 MP Nasir Uddin Chowdhury held a rally at Derai Thana Point on August 6 to mark July Remembrance. MP Nasir Uddin Chowdhury addressed the programme as the chief guest.
Meanwhile, supporters of former Sunamganj District BNP adviser Advocate Tahir Raihan Chowdhury Pavel and Moin Uddin Chowdhury Masuk, younger brother of MP Nasir Uddin Chowdhury and joint convener of Derai Upazila BNP, organised a rally at the Baghanbari Community Centre on Saturday to mark the second anniversary of the July 2024 mass uprising.
Supporters of MP Nasir Uddin Chowdhury protested against the rally. On Friday night, they brought out a procession at Derai Thana Point to oppose the programme.
Amid concerns over a possible deterioration in the law-and-order situation, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sanjib Sarker imposed Section 144 from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, banning all kinds of meetings and rallies at Derai Thana Point, Derai Bazar, College Road and the Baghanbari Community Centre area.
Despite the administrative order, supporters of both factions brought out processions and counter-processions at Thana Point on Saturday morning. Later in the afternoon, supporters of Pavel Chowdhury and Moin Uddin Chowdhury held a rally at the Baghanbari Community Centre premises.
The rally was chaired by Derai Upazila BNP Joint Convener Moin Uddin Chowdhury Masuk and moderated by Municipal BNP Joint Convener Advocate Iqbal Hossain Chowdhury.
Speakers included former commander of the Muktijoddha Sangsad and BNP upazila committee member valiant freedom fighter Abdul Qayyum, District BNP member Ashok Talukder Apu, Upazila BNP Joint Convener Abdul Karim Chowdhury, Municipal BNP Convener Mizanur Rahman, Municipal BNP Joint Convener Amirul Islam, Upazila BNP member Shoaib Hasan, Advocate Obaidur Chowdhury Mishu, Upazila Jubo Dal acting convener Lipon Hasan Chowdhury, District Jubo Dal leader Mohiuddin Milad, District Tarun Dal President Abul Fazal Akash and Upazila Chhatra Dal Convener Abu Hasan Chowdhury Saju, among others. Presidents and general secretaries of BNP units from different unions also attended.
Speaking at the rally, Masuk Chowdhury alleged that the ailing MP, Nasir Chowdhury, was being surrounded by a “corrupt syndicate” and “Awami fascists.” He said the group was trying to destroy the achievements Nasir Chowdhury had built over 40 years.
“We are not against the MP. We want to free him from the corrupt syndicate and bring Nasir Chowdhury, the people’s and grassroots leader, back to the people,” he said.
Derai Police Station Officer-in-Charge Aminul Islam said the Upazila Nirbahi Officer had imposed Section 144 at several important points from 10am to 5pm to maintain peace and order in the town.
“A large number of police personnel had been deployed in the area since morning. However, the law-and-order situation remained normal, and the processions and rally ended peacefully,” he said.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sanjib Sarker said Section 144 had been imposed to maintain law and order and additional police had been deployed.
“After the procession, one faction held a rally. However, there was no untoward incident or confrontation,” he said.
