Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s public meeting is going to be held in Khulna today on the second day of the fourth phase of nationwide blockade called by BNP and like-minded parties. He will address the public meeting organized by the Metropolitan and District Awami League at Circuit House Maidan in the city at 3 pm. Awami League has expressed optimism that 1 million leaders and workers from 10 districts of Khulna division will join the public meeting.
The Prime Minister was last on a political visit to Khulna on March 3, 2018. At that time he attended a public meeting at the same place. After five long years, there is a mood of celebration among the leaders and activists on the occasion of the Prime Minister’s public meeting in Khulna. The whole city is decorated in a new way. Important places are covered with banners, posters, festoons welcoming the Prime Minister. Government offices are illuminated in different colors at night. Meanwhile, on behalf of the administration, CC cameras have been installed at important points of the city including public meeting grounds. And the security has been strengthened on the waterway with the surveillance of white and uniformed police. A total of three levels of security measures have been taken around public gatherings.
It is known that the Prime Minister will leave for Khulna by helicopter from Tejgaon Airport at 12 noon. The helicopter carrying him will land at the helipad constructed at the Khulna District Stadium. At 1 p.m., Sakirt House will hold an exchange meeting with departmental level officials. After prayers and mid-day break, 24 development projects of Khulna district will be inaugurated and foundation stones will be laid. He will attend the public meeting of Awami League at 3 pm and will leave for Dhaka by helicopter after 4:30 pm.
On the occasion of Prime Minister’s arrival in Khulna, the central leaders of Awami League and members of Parliament from neighboring areas have already reached Khulna. Additional ferries have been arranged at the Zillakhana Ghat and Rupsa Ghat on the neighboring Bhairav River instead of the Jansabha. A stage of 90 feet length and 40 feet width has been constructed on the circuit house ground in the pattern of boat and Padma bridge. Around 400 guests will be seated on stage.
Metropolitan Awami League President and KCC Mayor Talukder Abdul Khalek told the media that the women workers will be at the circuit house ground during the rally. Male activists will be on the roads around the field. Apart from the field, microphones will be provided at Shibbari Mor, Jailkhana Ghat, Sadar Thanar Mor, Hadis Park and Haji Mohsin Road from the city’s Customs Ghat. The Prime Minister’s speech will be shown on LED monitors at several places including Shivbari Mor. Besides, the male leaders and activists who will come from Bagerhat, Pirojpur and Gopalganj will get down at Rupsa Ghat and cross by ferry. For this, 5 ferries are being provided at Rupsa Ghat. And buses carrying women workers will reach the new market of the city. Besides, 3-4 ferries are being provided to Jail Khana Ghat. A special train will arrive in Khulna in the morning for the activists of Chuadanga, Meherpur, Kushtia and Jhenaidah. There will be no difficulty in the blockade of BNP. They do not have the courage to stop the Awami League leaders and activists.
City Awami League general secretary Babul Rana said that preparations have been made to gather 10 lakh people of 10 districts of Khulna division in the public meeting. On that day, activists will descend on the streets of the city.
Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) Commissioner Mozammel Haque told Jugantar that three levels of security measures have been taken in Khulna for the Prime Minister’s public meeting. Neighboring district police are being assisted. Highway police will provide security for smooth movement on the highways. RAB will patrol the city. But BGB will be deployed if necessary. He said that CC cameras have been installed at important points of the city including Circuit House. They are being monitored. Besides, the police will work in uniform and plain clothes at various places including public meeting places. Bhairav river is near Jansabha. There will be a naval police patrol. All in all arrangements have been made so that common people can come to the public meeting and return home safely.
