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Three platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed in Habiganj amid fears of a deterioration in the law and order situation surrounding rival programmes announced by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the National Citizen Party (NCP).
BGB Headquarters’ Media and Public Relations Officer Md Shariful Islam confirmed the deployment on Wednesday afternoon, saying the force had been sent to prevent any unrest arising from the competing political events.
Earlier in the day, the local administration imposed Section 144 across Habiganj municipality as a precautionary measure.
In an order signed by Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Dr G M Sarfaraz, the administration said the NCP had called a protest rally and street meeting in the municipality on 29 July, while the Habiganj Sadar Upazila BNP, Habiganj Municipality BNP and the district unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal had announced a counter-protest and sit-in at the same time and venue.
The order noted that a large turnout from both sides was expected and warned that heightened tensions could lead to clashes, damage to property, disruption of public order and a deterioration in the overall law and order situation.
Under the restrictions imposed pursuant to Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, all gatherings of five or more people, public meetings, processions, slogan chanting, picketing, the use of loudspeakers and other activities likely to disturb public order have been prohibited within Habiganj municipality.
The order took effect immediately and will remain in force until further notice.
