Protests, rallies banned near Jamuna, Secretariat

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have issued a public announcement banning rallies, gatherings, marches, and processions near the State Guest House Jamuna, the official residence of the chief advisor, and the Bangladesh Secretariat, the nerve centre of the administration.

The ban will be in place until further notice “in the interest of public order and the security of the chief advisor”, according to the statement signed by DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali.

The notice said that all rallies, gatherings, and programmes at the Secretariat, Jamuna, and nearby areas (the Intercontinental Dhaka intersection, the Kakrail Mosque intersection, the Officers Club intersection, and Minto Road) are barred under Section 29 of the DMP Ordinance.

The same ban was issued in a public announcement on May 10. A similar ban was also imposed on Mar 13, which included the Shahbagh area.

Section 29 of the DMP Ordinance says a written order from the police commissioner can ban any rally or march “in the interests of public order or security”. However, the ban may not remain in place for more than 30 days without government approval.