Sec 144 as AL factions call meet at same venue

18 June 2010, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent, Khulna

Section 144 was enforced from 5:00am to 12:00 midnight yesterday banning rallies at Shibbarli ground under Digholia upazila of the district. Digholia Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Rafiqul Islam said he had to go for this action to maintain law and order in the area as two factions of district Awami League (AL) announced the same venue to hold a rally at 10:00am. None was given permission to hold rally, the UNO said. Mostafa Rashidi Shuja, district AL general secretary and Molla Jalaluddin, senior vice president of district AL, called the rally to demand trial of war criminals. The rivals have been fighting since last year to establish supremacy in the party. Sources said none of the factions could hold the rally, as police cordoned off the venue. Condemning the imposition of section 144, supporters of Shuja shouted slogans at Jalaluddin's followers from their procession brought out 11:30am, while the latter demonstrated in front of the venue carrying black flags.