The political arena of the country was peaceful for a long time. Be it due to external pressure or any reason. BNP, one of the main parties in the country, had been saying that they would carry out non-violent programs. In the last four years, this party was not even seen to give a destructive program like hartal-blockade.
At this time, tensions between BNP and Awami League did not turn into a conflict. On July 27, BNP held a big rally in Dhaka. That too ended peacefully in the end.
In recent times, the political situation of the country was being watched by various foreign observers including the United States, EU countries. Recently added to this is the visa policy of the United States. Some also felt that the political situation would not lead to conflict after all.
But around October 28, an unknown fear was working in everyone's mind. Political analysts had already assumed that something was going to happen. But some may not have believed that something would inevitably lead to conflict.
The conflict broke out before the scheduled program of BNP started on Saturday. But it is not clear how the conflict spread. BNP said that the police dispersed their rally by throwing sound grenades and tear gas. Finally, before the BNP rally ended, the party's general secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and the central leaders left the stage. Later, he announced a nationwide strike on Sunday.
People who came to the rally had batons in their hands. The clash turned so fierce that two people, including a policeman, died. Several journalists were injured while collecting news about the program of BNP-Awami League. Even if journalists are not a party, people in this profession are always targeted. This time was no exception.
A clash between the two major parties was avoided around the rally, but a clash between BNP leaders and workers with the police could not be avoided. They clashed from time to time. At this time police box was set on fire in Kakrail, vehicles including ambulance were set on fire at Rajarbagh Police Hospital.
Buses were torched in Malibagh, other vehicles were set ablaze in the center of the rally. And after the strike program was announced, more tension spread in different places. That being said, programs like strikes have lost their appeal long ago. Still, why this strike? And as the leaders of BNP have called for the strike and the successful implementation of this agenda, the ruling party has also announced its opposition.
Amidst this situation, BNP-Jamaat has held a strike program across the country today. Even today, motor vehicles were set on fire in different parts of the city during the hartal. Political analysts said that the two parties have been avoiding conflict politics for the past few months. They have shown a peaceful program. In the end BNP could not hold it.
On the other hand, the government also took the opportunity to attack the opposition party. Police arrested Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday. Police entered the house of BNP leader Mirza Abbas. Meanwhile, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said that the case has just started, there will be more cases, all the victims will file a case.
A worker of BNP died during the strike today, so far more than 900 BNP-Jamaat leaders and activists have been arrested.
Political analysts said that they do not see the possibility of getting out of this situation immediately. Because a large number of BNP leaders and workers have been arrested, they will not back down for now. On the other hand, the government will try to establish the negative politics that the party does by promoting this conflict of BNP.
But those concerned said that only discussion can remove the two parties from this conflicting position. Whether that initiative will be taken by the two parties, that possibility is not seen. It is believed that no foreign country will take such an initiative. So there is no quick way out of the confrontational politics that has started again.