DMP imposes ban on rallies near Secretariat, Jamuna

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has once again banned all forms of public gatherings near the Bangladesh Secretariat and the Chief Adviser’s official residence, Jamuna, effective from July 9 until further notice.

The public notice issued today said the restriction was imposed for maintaining public order and the security of the Chief Adviser under the powers vested under Section 29 of the DMP Ordinance (Ordinance No. III/76).

The notice said any kind of meeting, assembly, mass gathering, procession, human chain, sit-in, procession have been banned in the Bangladesh Secretariat (including adjacent areas) and the official residence of the Chief Adviser, Jamuna and the surrounding areas (the area between Hotel Intercontinental Crossing, Kakrail Mosque Crossing, Officers Club Crossing and Mintu Road Crossing) from Wednesday and continue until further orders.

Earlier, on June 9, the DMP had enforced a similar ban on gatherings in the same areas. Prior to that, similar restrictions were imposed on March 13 and May 15 around the Secretariat, the Chief Adviser’s residence, and the Chief Justice’s residence.

In addition, on May 17, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a separate directive prohibiting rallies, processions, and public gatherings in Dhaka Cantonment and its surrounding sensitive areas.

Despite several bans imposed by the DMP, since the interim government assumed office on 8 August last year, individuals from various professions have continued to march toward the Chief Adviser’s residence, Jamuna, to voice their demands. These protests have caused significant disruptions in multiple areas of the capital.

Most recently, on Monday (7 July), police deployed water cannons and baton charges against a group of dismissed BDR members marching toward the Jamuna residence, resulting in several injuries.