C T Online Desk: The Jamaat-e-Islami claims to have got permission to hold a rally at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in Dhaka’s Ramna.
Ashraful Alam Emon, director of Jamaat Dhaka South’s publicity and media wing, claimed at midnight on Friday that the Dhaka Metropolitan Police has given the party permission to hold a rally there at 2pm on Saturday.
Jamaat’s Dhaka South hold the rally demanding the release of its amir, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, and other leaders; the establishment of a caretaker government system; and controlling price hikes.
The party had initially requested permission to hold the rally before Baitul Mukarram in Dhaka.
Sources within Jamaat say this is probably the first time since 2011 that the party will hold a program with permission from authorities.
After a 2011 clash with law enforcement in Bijoynagar and subsequent violent protests to stop the prosecution of crimes against humanity, the party has been away from the streets for a long time, other than some small processions and gatherings.
According to a source in the party, the government has indicated that it will ease political hurdles ahead of the 12th national election, and Jamaat wants to take advantage of this.
Earlier on June 5, Jamaat sought permission to hold a rally in Dhaka’s Baitul Mukarram area, but the party did not get permission from the DMP.
DMP Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq at a Dhaka event on Friday night said: “Whether Jamaat will get permission for the rally or not, the decision will be made later at night.”
“They have attacked police in the past, their names appear in various bombing incidents. They have not been in the public eye for a long time. Now they want to hold rallies.”
