The police foiled Chhatra League’s programme in Gopalganj marking former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s 78th birthday on Saturday.

This incident took place on the Government Bangabandhu College campus in Sadar upazila in the morning when BCL leaders and activists tried to bring out a procession marking the day.

Sushanta Kumar Biswas, a member of the convening committee of Sadar upazila Chhatra League, said that in celebration of Sheikh Hasina's birthday, leaders of the Chhatra League units organised a programme. However, the police interrupted the event and dispersed them, he said.

District Awami League Publicity Secretary SM Nazrul Islam said that on Sheikh Hasina's birthday, tributes were paid to Bangabandhu's portrait at the party office in the morning. Additionally, an evening prayer was organised for Hasina's well-being.

He also expressed anger over the obstruction faced by students in their attempt to hold a procession.

Sadar police station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Sajedur Rahman, however, denied allegations of using force against Awami League leaders and activists.

He said BCL activists were not dispersed. The procession was halted out of concern that it could lead to chaos on the roads and result in vandalism, he added.

Meanwhile, security has been strengthened in all upazilas of the district.