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SYLHET: The Bishwanath upazila administration in Sylhet has imposed Section 144 indefinitely amid plans by two rival groups to hold separate meetings and rallies at the same venue. The order will take effect at 9am on Thursday (October 8) and remain in force until further notice.
Bishwanath Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Md Zahed Bin Kashem issued the order on Wednesday night after receiving a report from the officer-in-charge of Bishwanath Police Station.
The administration also conducted a public announcement through loudspeakers in Bishwanath municipal town on Wednesday night.
Under the order, all meetings, rallies, processions, demonstrations and gatherings, as well as carrying sticks, weapons or explosives, have been prohibited from 9am until further notice in and around the Dak Bungalow area on College Road in Bishwanath municipality.
Gatherings of five or more people have also been banned in the area.
According to local sources, a clash broke out on September 27 between residents of Bhurki and Islampur villages in Lamakazi Union over the purchase and sale of land following a public announcement over loudspeakers.
Local chairman and senior BNP leader Kabir Hossain Dhola Mia was on one side of the dispute, while land buyer Haji Safir Mia, 65, of Islampur village was on the other. Cases filed by both sides are pending with the police.
Both groups had scheduled separate meetings and rallies at the same venue in Bishwanath municipal town on Thursday, prompting the administration to impose Section 144.
The rally organised in support of Chairman Kabir Hossain Dhola Mia was announced under the banners of the Bishwanath upazila and municipal units of Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal and Chhatra Dal.
Meanwhile, Safir Mia’s supporters planned a protest rally and meeting at the same venue under the banner of the Concerned Citizens’ Society of the upazila.
BNP leaders in the upazila and municipality have warned that strict organisational action will be taken against anyone who creates disorder in the name of the party.
They issued the warning at a meeting held at the party office on Wednesday evening, chaired by Bishwanath upazila BNP acting president Gaus Ali.