The rally was one of the biggest showdowns of the AL where Opposition Leader Sheikh Hasina made her first public appearance after the August 21 grenade attacks.

Party adherents from across the country joined the rally. Some of them were quite taken aback by the exceptional security measures prompted by the widespread allegations of poor security of the August 21 meeting.

Though the meeting was scheduled to start at 3pm, workers and supporters of the AL and its front organisations started to gather in the ground in processions at least two hours before chanting anti-government slogans.

The demonstrators held banners and placards with slogans like 'no more of this government', 'Khaleda and Nizami are responsible for grenade attacks' and 'days of the alliance government are numbered'.

Many of them wore headbands, badges and ribbons inscribed with similar slogans. Some of them also carried effigies of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

By 4:30pm the Maidan was flooded with multitudes of people. Many more stood in the adjacent areas including Gulistan, Bangabandhu Avenue, Noor Hossain Square and Rajuk Avenue to Dainik Bangla crossroads halting movement of all vehicles and creating a bitter traffic jam that continued into late evening.

Over a thousand police and intelligence men were posted on the podium, the adjacent ground, ways to it and surrounding buildings while a number of teams were seen patrolling in the teeming crowd. Contingents of Rapid Action Battalion were also deployed in the areas.

Police kept a close watch on every procession as it entered the venue while over a dozen close circuit TV cameras took footage. A number of AL volunteers also worked side by side the law enforcers to avert any untoward incident.

The podium was encircled by a bamboo fencing along a safety chain like the public meetings of the prime minister and no-one was allowed to enter the enclosure without security clearance authorised by the AL.

Hasina reached the venue at 4:45pm in a jeep escorted by police vans. Hundreds of her party men and police built a security ring around her as she slowly proceeded to the podium wading through the masses towards the podium.

Many people including AL supporters and sympathisers came to Paltan Maidan yesterday only to see Hasina.

"After the August 21 grenade attacks, I have seen the AL chief only on television. Now I am going to the rally only to see her," said Badal, a resident of the city's Chankharpul.

OBSTRUCTIONS BY POLICE

Some people who came to the rally by motorised vehicles accused police of trying to bar them in the name of checking driving licence. But police denied the allegation saying that it is their responsibility to check driving licence of drivers.

UNB adds: Hundreds of AL leaders and workers from the country's southern and other parts could not join the grand rally due to 'police obstructions' at various points on the Dhaka-Mawa highway.

At least 50 vehicles carrying the AL men remained stranded at various places until late afternoon.

Angered by the obstructions, local people damaged six cars at different points of the highway. Police removed their blockades at about 4pm.