Thousands throng Golapbagh for BNP's December 10 rally

Thousands of BNP supporters have been assembling at Golapbag field in the Sayedabad neighborhood of the capital since this afternoon in preparation for the party's rally on December 10.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) ultimately gave the BNP permission on Friday afternoon to stage the rally at Golapbag Field, which would begin at 11am on Saturday.

The throng grew outside of the arena as more people arrived. They are shouting anti-government chants.

Meanwhile, a sizable contingent of law enforcement officers has been stationed in the area close to the event.

The BNP invited any parties who are prepared to stage a simultaneous movement against the government to participate in the demonstration.

BNP Standing Committee Member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain stated at a news conference at the party chairperson's Gulshan office that the party will make public a 10-point charter of demands to overthrow the government at the protest on Saturday.

To prevent any undesirable occurrences, law enforcement agencies increased security at the rally venue and the surrounding area.

Rapid Action Battalion-10 commanding officer Farid Uddin stated that security flaws were discovered during a visit to the field due to the presence of high rise buildings and unfinished structures nearby.

He noted that both police and Rab members will make an effort to reduce the hazards.

Earlier, at 2:00 pm, a group led by Khandker Golam Faruq, Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), visited the location.

BNP wanted to hold its Dhaka divisional rally in front of its party office in the Capital's Nayapaltan neighborhood.

However, they were denied permission and police blocked the road after a clash between BNP members and police officers on Wednesday that resulted in one death and numerous injuries.

In a later meeting with the DMP commissioner yesterday, BNP suggested Kamalapur Stadium as an alternative location to Nayapaltan for its rally on December 10 in Dhaka.

DMP suggested the Mirpur Government Bangla College's field as an option, though.