DMP bans rallies, protests near chief justice’s residence, Supreme Court, other key zones

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed a fresh ban on all forms of public gatherings, protests, processions, and rallies in several areas including the official residence of the chief justice and the Supreme Court.

The new order, announced on Saturday, follows an earlier restriction imposed four days ago around the official residence of the chief adviser, State Guest House Jamuna, and the Bangladesh Secretariat.

In two separate statements issued in recent days, the DMP also urged citizens not to block roads or obstruct traffic under the banner of protests or other public programmes.

The latest measure was taken after Jagannath University students and faculty members held an overnight protest and sit-in at the Kakrail mosque intersection.

Under the DMP Ordinance, Police Commissioner Sazzat Ali declared the following areas off-limits for public gatherings: the chief justice’s official residence, Judges’ Complex, main gates of the Supreme Court, Mazar Gate, entrance to the International Crimes Tribunal 1 and 2, and the road outside the Judicial Administration Training Institute.

In the wake of last year’s July–August uprising that toppled the Awami League government, police issued multiple similar directives after protests intensified around Muhammad Yunus’s residence.

In the most recent wave of protests, demonstrators demanding the banning of the Awami League gathered outside the Jamuna from the night of May 8 through Friday afternoon.

This was followed by continuous blockades in Shahbagh. The DMP issued Saturday’s notification during this period of unrest.

On Monday, and earlier on Apr 23, separate DMP statements again requested that protest organisers avoid causing traffic disruptions by blocking roads or staging unscheduled demonstrations.

To manage a surge in movement by professional bodies and other civil organisations, a similar ban was also issued in a public notice on Mar 13.

That directive, too, was said to remain in effect until further instruction. No formal notification, however, was released to clarify whether it was lifted.

The March restrictions covered the Intercontinental intersection, Shahbagh crossing, Kakrail intersection, and Minto Road.

Notably, this latest notice excludes Shahbagh from the restricted list.