A large number of policemen, along with army and BGB troops, have been deployed near a sit-in demonstration organised by expelled BDR personnel in front of the BGB No 4 Gate of the BGB headquarters in Pilkhana, Dhaka.

Riot cars and water cannons have also been put in place to pre-empt any untoward incident near the sensitive facility.

Hundreds of former BDR personnel and their family members started gathering at Zigatola in the morning demanding reinstatement of their jobs and payment of overdue benefits.

At 10am, they began their sit-in programme. The Dhanmondi Police Station reportedly requested the protesters to avoid joining the programme.