The BNP's divisional rally in Dhaka will take place at Golapbagh on Saturday, ending a heated standoff with the authorities over the venue for the event.
Police have given the BNP permission to erect a stage and install microphones and speakers at the Golapbagh field, according to Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq, chief of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police.
After a meeting with law enforcement officials on Friday, the BNP's Vice Chairman AZM Zahid Hossain said the party received assurances that comprehensive security measures would be in place for the event, said a bdnews24.com report.
The BNP had initially earmarked the Kamalapur stadium for the rally, but after failing to get the greenlight from the police, the party opted for the Gopalbagh field, according to Zahid.
“They [the police] asked us to prepare for the rally at the Golapbagh field. They have assured us of all kinds of security measures there."
The rally will begin at 11 am on Saturday, said Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, a member of the BNP's standing committee. He urged everyone who supports the BNP's antigovernment movement to attend the event.
Security measures in the city have been ramped up ahead of the event, with police setting up checkpoints on key highways.
The run-up to the event has been marked by a violent clash between BNP supporters and police outside the party headquarters in Naya Paltan, leading to the death of an activist.
Police have also closed the road to the party's central office while senior BNP leaders Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Mirza Abbas were officially arrested on Friday for 'inciting' attacks on police.