Rangpur Bureau: BNP’s mass rally in Rangpur turned into a sea of people with slogans and marches despite the road connectivity being cut off. Rangpur was separated from the rest of the country by calling a transport strike before the Rangpur divisional mass meeting to protest against the unconditional release of BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, the caretaker government during the election, the killing of 5 leaders and activists by police firing. But after breaking the deadlock, BNP’s leaders and workers flocked to the departmental assembly.
From Saturday (October 29) morning, Rangpur city turned into a city of processions. BNP leaders and workers poured across the streets of the city. The entire city is full of slogans and processions. At this time, many people marched to the gathering place carrying placards with pictures of national flag, party founder Ziaur Rahman, chairperson Khaleda Zia, party acting chairman Tarek Rahman and other central and local leaders. Some people are bringing election symbol grain of rice to the rally. Various slogans are also being given in the processions demanding the resignation of the government.
Earlier, the District Motor Owners Association called a 36-hour transport strike. Most of the people from near distance have come on foot, while leaders and activists from far away are coming to the gathering place by trains as well as various small vehicles.
The leaders of BNP say, using the experience of the previous rally, the leaders and workers of the northern BNP came to Rangpur 3 days before the rally. Collectorate Eidgah Maidan area was filled to the brim with people just after 8pm on Friday (October 28). Many have brought mats, pillows and tents to take up positions on the streets. Besides, many spend the night in the assembly ground.
However, the people of the surrounding areas are entering the rally venue with a long procession on the day of the rally. Asaduzzaman, joint convener of Badarganj Upazila Youth Dal, said, “Since it is a short distance from Rangpur, everyone is going together with a large number of leaders and workers on the day of the rally.”
A fleet of one hundred motorcycles led by BNP leader Tapan Mahmud came from Tentulia in Panchgarh, about 150 km from Rangpur city. He said, “They have come by bike because they don’t have a vehicle, and many people are coming on the streets in charger vans, auto-rickshaws and bicycles.”
However, BNP has complained of preventing the leaders and workers from coming to the rally. They say that on Saturday, when people were coming from different districts and upazilas of Rangpur, the police stopped them and harassed them on the road.
BNP Central Vice Chairman Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain said, “The Motor Owners Association has implemented the blueprint to thwart the government’s rally.” They have planned to stop BNP leaders and workers from coming to the rally by going on strike. But despite all obstacles, Rangpur has gathered the largest number of people in memory.
