Tarique Rahman returns home today
The BNP has constructed a large stage in the capital’s 300 Feet Road area to welcome Tarique
Highlights:
- Tarique Rahman returns home after 17 years in exile
- BNP and government coordinated extensive preparations and security measures
- Massive reception planned with stage, loudspeakers, CCTV across Dhaka
- Hundreds of thousands of BNP activists travelling from districts nationwide
- Tarique to visit Khaleda Zia, party programmes, and national memorials
- Police deployment, toll-free expressway, medical teams arranged for crowd
BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman is finally returning home today after 17 years in exile. The BNP has completed extensive preparations to make his return memorable.
The government welcomed Tarique Rahman's scheduled homecoming, affirming that all cooperation sought by his party is being extended with necessary security measures in place, chief adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said yesterday.
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The BNP has constructed a large stage in the capital's 300 Feet Road area to welcome Tarique. The stage spans a section of the Purbachal-bound road from Bishwaroad. It is 48 feet long, 36 feet wide and elevated 8 feet above the road.
According to party sources, around 900 loudspeakers have been installed across the city – from the airport through Abdullahpur, Bishwaroad, Banani, Mohakhali, Jamuna Future Park and along the 300 Feet Road up to Kanchan Bridge. The entire area will be under CCTV surveillance.
As Tarique returns home after a long exile, BNP leaders and activists from different districts have arrived in Dhaka to welcome their leader. Party sources said the BNP aims to turn the airport area and the entire city of Dhaka into a sea of people.
BNP Standing Committee member and convener of the Tarique Rahman Homecoming Committee, Salahuddin Ahmed yesterday outlined the party's plans surrounding Tarique Rahman's return to Bangladesh.
Tarique Rahman will go directly to Evercare Hospital to see his mother, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
"He will briefly join the reception programme at 300 Feet for a very short time, where he will express his gratitude to the people of the country," Salahuddin said.
Tarique will visit the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman on Friday after Jummah prayers. From there, he will travel by road to the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar to pay tribute to the martyrs.
On Saturday, the BNP acting chairman will visit the grave of Osman Hadi and also register as a voter, Salahuddin said. Tarique is also expected to visit the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (Pangu Hospital) to see those injured in the July uprising. However, these programmes are yet to be fully finalised and will be communicated to the media in due course.
No SSF protection, but extensive security measures planned
Around 10 lakh party leaders and activists from the Chattogram division headed to Dhaka to take part in the reception organised by the party, a BNP leader said
Law enforcement agencies have put in place both covert and overt security measures ahead of Tarique's return today, although sources say he will not receive Special Security Force protection.
Several meetings have been held at the highest levels of government to ensure maximum security for Tarique, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Around 2,000 personnel from police and other agencies may be deployed. DMP Additional Commissioner SN Nazrul Islam said the security plan covers Dhaka airport, the route from the airport via Evercare Hospital to Gulshan and Tarique's residence.
Special police surveillance has been in place since Tuesday midnight, with multiple checkpoints on the streets.
Elevated expressway to be toll-free from airport
The airport area's toll plaza of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway will remain toll-free for four hours to facilitate smooth entry into the capital.
According to a press release, vehicles entering the capital through the airport elevated expressway will not be required to pay tolls between 11am and 3pm.
Advance apology
On behalf of the party, BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed offered sincere apologies in advance for any inconvenience or hardship caused by the unavoidable and minimal arrangements necessary to implement this historic homecoming of their leader.
He said, "Tarique Rahman does not support any programme that may cause public suffering. Before departing, Tarique had instructed expatriate leaders and supporters not to gather at Heathrow Airport."
Tarique Rahman departed London's Heathrow Airport last night on a flight to Bangladesh. The BNP acting chairman arrived at Heathrow Airport in London at 10:15pm Bangladesh time. "Later, he checked in and entered the airport. He is accompanied by his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman," BNP Media Cell, in its Facebook page, states.
Salahuddin said Tarique Rahman is travelling on a scheduled Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight along with his family members. After a stopover in Sylhet, he is scheduled to land in Dhaka at 11:20am.
Speaking at a press conference at the party chairperson's office in Gulshan yesterday afternoon, Salahuddin said that standing committee members will receive the BNP acting chairman at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Hundreds of thousands of district-level leaders and activists in Dhaka
Alongside BNP leaders in every district, leaders and activists from its affiliated organisations – including Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, Krishak Dal, Sramik Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal – have made various arrangements to come to Dhaka. They have hired buses, trains, minibuses, microbuses and private cars. Many have also arrived independently or by train. In some districts, celebratory processions have already been held to mark Tarique Rahman's return.
'7-10 lakh activists from Ctg division to travel to Dhaka'
Around 10 lakh party leaders and activists from the Chattogram division headed to Dhaka to take part in the reception organised by the party, a BNP leader said.
Two special trains were fully booked, while half of another train was reserved. In addition, several hundred buses and microbuses were arranged, and many leaders and activists have started their journey to Dhaka through various initiatives.
BNP central committee co-organising secretary (in charge of Chattogram division) Mir Helal told The Business Standard, "From the 10 organisational units of Chattogram division, between 7 and 10 lakh people will gather in Dhaka. From my own constituency, 123 buses and 85 microbuses have been hired. A special train is coming from Cox's Bazar. Party workers are also travelling from the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Feni, Noakhali, Laxmipur and nearby districts. This is going to be a massive event. Many have already reached Dhaka."
'More than 500 vehicles from Bogura'
Thousands of leaders and activists from northern districts headed to Dhaka to attend the reception yesterday.
Multiple BNP sources confirmed that at least 507 vehicles, including buses and private cars, were travelling from Bogura amid high enthusiasm.
'300 buses from Sylhet'
Around 30,000 BNP leaders and activists from Sylhet district and metropolitan area traveled to Dhaka to attend the reception.
Party sources said 200 buses were hired from different upazilas of Sylhet district, along with around 100 buses from the metropolitan area.
Sylhet metropolitan BNP general secretary Imdad Hossain Chowdhury said excitement was widespread among party workers across the city. Leaders and activists from every police station area and all 42 wards will join the programme. At least 10,000 people are expected from the metropolitan area alone.
Our correspondents from Cumilla, Laxmipur, Satkhira, Bagerhat and Jashore also quoted local BNP leaders as saying that thousands of activists headed to Dhaka to mark the homecoming of Tarique Rahman.
Crowds increasing around the stage
Since work on the stage began on Monday, large numbers of leaders and activists from different parts of the country have been gathering around the site. Some are livestreaming on Facebook, while others are chanting slogans such as "Mother and soil are calling, Tarique Rahman is coming" and "Tarique Rahman will return in heroic form to Bangladesh."
Banners and festoons welcoming Tarique Rahman home have been installed along both sides of the road from Kuril to the area beyond the reception stage. Law enforcement agencies have set up camps on both sides of the stage.
Medical teams on standby
The BNP has formed mobile medical teams to provide emergency healthcare. The party's health affairs secretary, Dr Rafiqul Islam, said that Tarique Rahman's arrival will draw large numbers of party leaders and members of the public to Dhaka. To address emergency medical needs, 30 mobile medical teams will be deployed.
Hospitals near the airport and the 300 Feet Road area have also been kept on alert to ensure emergency treatment for leaders, activists and members of the public attending the programme.
