The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has once again imposed a ban on gatherings and rallies at several locations in Dhaka.
On Saturday, DMP issued a new public notice stating that from Sunday, gatherings and rallies will be prohibited at the official residence of the Chief Justice, the Supreme Court gate, and several other locations in Dhaka until further notice.
The public notice states, “All types of meetings, gatherings, mass rallies, processions, human chains, sit-ins, processions, etc., are prohibited in front of the Chief Justice’s official residence, the Justice Building, Judges’ Complex, the main gate of the Bangladesh Supreme Court, Mazar Gate, Jam-e-Masjid Gate, the entry gates of International Crimes Tribunal 1 and 2, and in front of the Judicial Administration Training Institute building.”
Previously, the police issued such public notices due to various movements. Similar bans were announced on 13 March, 10 May, 9 June 9, July 8, and 4 September.
According to Section 29 of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance, the police commissioner can issue a written order to ban any gathering or procession “in the interest of maintaining public order or security.”
However, this ban cannot be enforced for more than 30 days without government approval.
Earlier, on August 27, the blockade of the Shahbagh intersection led to a clash between the police and protesters. Engineering university students, led by BUET, had blocked the intersection from 11am. When the procession attempted to move towards the Prime Minister’s residence near Jamuna, the police stopped them. The police used batons, water cannons, tear gas, and sound grenades to disperse the protesters, resulting in injuries to several students and police officers.
