The move was apparently to thwart 14-party opposition combine's programme to lay siege to the EC Secretariat tomorrow.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) in line with the government directives yesterday in a press release disclosed its decision about imposing the ban. The press release said the DMP feared deterioration of law and order in the area as 'some political parties' made programmes to lay siege to the EC Secretariat.

Sources said police was directed to take strict measures to prevent opposition men rally around the EC Secretariat in the capital. The government, however, did not mention any measures to stop the opposition's siege programme of election offices across the country.

The Awami League (AL)-led 14-party combine's leaders last night decried the ban and expressed their determination to go ahead with their programme.

"It is not our concern. We declared the programme and we will go ahead," AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil told The Daily Star last night.

He termed the DMP's ban 'usual'. "The government had imposed ban on opposition programmes. So it's nothing new," Jalil, also the coordinator of 14-party opposition combine, said.

DMP Commissioner SM Mizanur Rahman said the EC Secretariat is a very important establishment and a restricted area. "The DMP imposed the ban on any kinds of gathering, procession, demonstration, laying siege to it, sit-ins and carrying any kind of firearms or arms such as sticks and explosive substances in the area to ensure security and protect public property," the DMP commissioner said in the press release.

The government imposed such bans on opposition's programme to lay siege to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and a sit-in programme in front of Bangladesh Secretariat this year.

The DMP did not impose any ban when a front organisation of AL tried to lay siege to the EC last March. The programme, however, ended after clashes between law enforcers and the opposition activists.

The 14-party declared the siege of the EC Secretariat and election offices across the country on Friday in a bid to force the ruling alliance accept the opposition's electoral reforms proposal.

Meanwhile, the opposition combine has also declared their programme to lay siege to the PMO again on September 12.

Senior leaders of the opposition alliance and leaders of the city units of the alliance will sit today in a special meeting to discuss their preparation for tomorrow's siege. The meeting is scheduled to be held at 11:00am at the AL's office on Bangabandhu Avenue.

AREAS UNDER THE BAN
The DMP in its release said the ban would be effective around the EC Secretariat with the following city streets considered as its perimeter.

In the north, the street from Agargaon-Rokeya Sarani intersection to Shishu Mela-Mirpur Road intersection.

In the south, from Dhanmondi Road-27-Mirpur Road intersection to Dhanmondi Government Boys High School and from the school to Indira Road via T&T field.

In the east, from Indira Road intersection to Agargaon-Rokeya Sarani intersection via Islamia Eye Hospital.

In the west, from Shishu Mela-Mirpur Road intersection to Old Mohammadpur Police Station, and from Asad Avenue to the eastern end of Dhanmondi Road-27.