AL activists 'aiding' police
Mon, Mar 12th, 2012 12:58 pm BdST
Abu Sufian
bdnews24.com Senior Correspondent
Dhaka, Mar 12 (bdnews24.com) – Hundreds of activists of the ruling Awami League and its associate bodies joined police in conducting searches at various points across the capital ahead of the opposition's Monday afternoon rally.
They were seen setting up their own check-posts at Gabtoli Bus Terminal, Majar road entrance, Technical crossing and Kalyanpur.
The ruling party activists were seen conducting searches along with the police.
Police members 'Ataur' and 'Nuruzzaman, who were on a van at Majar road area, however, said they had no knowledge of any such searches by the Awami League activists.
The same scenario was visible at Technical intersection. Bangladesh Chhatra League activists of Mirpur Bangla College took control of the area.
Police set up an outpost there, too.
Rubel Hawlader, BCL president of P A K Hall unit of the college, told bdnews24.com, "We are just helping the administration, nothing else."
Asked about the search, he said, "Our seniors are doing this on the Mazar Road. We are checking those who act suspiciously."
He said they took position in the area since the morning. "We'll stay here until order comes from the top level."
No long-distance buses left or entered Dhaka through the bus terminal at Gabtoli.
Soheli Paribahan counterman Mohammad Abdur Razzak said his company stopped services on Darshana-Jessore-Dhaka route from Sunday.
Chitra Paribahan, Darshana Deluxe and Sonali Paribahan of the same route also stopped services.
Rahmat Ali of Sakura Paribahan of Dhaka-Barisal route said they had no work on Monday.
Hanif Partibahan official Alim Mia was seen watching television at the closed counter of Dhaka-Khulna route.
Bus counters of Diganta Paribahan, Eagle Paribahan and other services were also closed.
As people knew of the closure from Sunday, no passengers were seen at Gabtoli.
However, Mohammad Abdul, a resident of Kurigram, was found who was one.
He was there to go home with his daughter 'Lucky', who worked as a housemaid at Tolarbag.
Mohd. Abdul has no option but to wait at the terminal until Monday night or Tuesday morning.
AL activists 'aiding' police | Politics | bdnews24.com