3,000 arrested in Bangladesh ahead of mass rally

Over 3,000 people have been arrested till Saturday from all over Bangladesh ahead of a rally planned for March 12 by the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), a media report said.

Sources told the Daily Star that police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) personnel arrested at least 3,616 people.

BNP leaders alleged that police have been conducting mass arrests of their party men across the country to foil the rally.

The activists were arrested in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Chittagong, Khulna, Barisal and Sylhet.

However, Monirul Islam, spokesman for the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, denied any mass arrests.

He said police have intensified drives to arrest illegal arms holders, drug peddlers and extortionists ahead of three events in the country -- Asia Cup that is scheduled to start March 11, the BNP rally March 12 and a rally of the ruling Awami League 14-party alliance March 14.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Saturday said she was worried of any "mayhem" during the BNP rally.

"I am worried what kind of mayhem she (Khaleda Zia) might create during the rally," Hasina was quoted as saying.

The prime minister said her government was worried how to ensure "security to the lives and properties of people".