<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>A public rally of BNP has begun at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan to protest the “oppression” on the party leaders and workers during their Saturday’s sit-in programme at different entrances of the capital.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The rally formally began around 3pm on Monday with the recitation from the holy Quran.</div><div><br></div><div>As part of the party’s countrywide programme, BNP’s Dhaka south and north city units have arranged the rally at the historic venue.</div><div><br></div><div>A temporary stage has been set up on four trucks keeping them side by side and around 50 loudspeakers have been installed around the rally venue.</div><div><br></div><div>Dhaka South City unit BNP convener Abdus Salam said they have completed the necessary preparation at the shortest notice to hold the rally.</div><div><br></div><div>"I am hopeful that there will be a large gathering of people in the rally," he said.</div><div><br></div><div>BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will address the rally as the chief guest.</div><div><br></div><div>The party leaders and activists from different city areas have started thronging the rally venue since 1 pm.</div><div><br></div><div>A huge number of law enforcers have been deployed around the rally venue to fend off any untoward incident.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier on Saturday, Mirza Fakhrul announced that their party would hold rallies in all cities and district towns to protest the oppression on the party leaders and workers during their Saturday’s sit-in programme at different entrances of the capital.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, BNP’s sit-in programme at the key entry points of Dhaka on Saturday was marred by clashes and violence, leaving an unspecified number of people injured.</div><div><br></div><div>Several vehicles were torched in different areas, including Matuail and Shyamoli, during the clashes between BNP activists and police. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>