Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, an Islamist group, has concluded its rally in Dhaka's Motijheel despite failing to secure police permission for the gathering, while violent clashes marred a separate rally by the BNP, the largest opposition group. The Jamaat rally began in front of the Arambagh High School and College in the capital at 2 pm on Saturday. The BNP launched its antigovernment rally in Dhaka’s Naya Paltan at the same time but the event was called off after clashes with police and Awami League activists at the Kakrail intersection, prompting the opposition party to announce a day-long nationwide hartal for Sunday. Jamaat's rally also coincided with the gathering of the ruling Awami League in the city as political tensions rise ahead of the national election expected in January. The police prohibited Jamaat's assembly, placing barricades on the road near the Shapla intersection since the morning.

Source: bd News24 October 28, 2023 17:07 UTC