Tarique Rahman arrives in Ctg after 20 years, draws massive crowds
BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman arrived in Chattogram this evening (24 January) evening after a gap of nearly two decades, drawing in a massive public turnout from the airport to the city centre.
He landed at Shah Amanat International Airport at around 7:15pm, travelling by air from Dhaka, as part of political engagements ahead of the upcoming national election.
Tarique Rahman last visited Chattogram in May 2005.
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After his arrival, he was formally received by BNP Standing Committee members Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Salahuddin Ahmed, along with Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Shahadat Hossain and other senior party leaders.
Tarique Rahman then proceeded to the Radisson Blu Bay View Hotel in a red-and-green bulletproof bus carrying the slogan "Bangladesh First."
Thousands of BNP leaders, activists and supporters gathered around to welcome him.
Large crowds lined both sides of the road from the airport through Patenga Sea Beach to Lalkhan Bazar, chanting slogans as he passed. He greeted supporters by waving from the front of the vehicle.
The visit prompted heightened security measures across the port city. Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) deployed a multi-layered security arrangement, strengthening patrols at key intersections and imposing a ban on drone flights.
Around 3,000 members of law enforcement agencies were deployed along the travel route and around the hotel.
BNP leaders and activists also decorated major city roads with banners, festoons and arches, giving the area a festive appearance.
Tarique Rahman is scheduled to address a public rally at the historic Polo Ground tomorrow at 11:30am. The BNP has completed preparations for the rally, including the construction of a large stage.
After the rally, Tarique Rahman is expected to return to Dhaka via Cumilla and Feni.
CMP officials said a three-tier security system will be in place at the rally venue, with both uniformed and plainclothes police deployed. The area will also be swept by a dog squad after the completion of stage construction.
Assistant Commissioner (Media) of CMP Aminur Rashid said, "Between 2,500 and 3,000 law enforcement personnel will be deployed centring on the rally. Security across the city has been strengthened from today to prevent any untoward incidents."
