BNP has begun a rally at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan to protest the "oppression" on the party leaders and workers during their Saturday's sit-in programme at different entrances of Dhaka.

The rally formally began around 3:00pm today with the recitation from the holy Quran.

As part of the party's countrywide programme, BNP's Dhaka south and north city units have arranged today's rally.

A temporary stage has been set up on four trucks keeping them side by side and around 50 loudspeakers have been installed around the rally venue.

Dhaka South City unit BNP convener Abdus Salam said they have completed the necessary preparation at short notice to hold the rally.

"I am hopeful that it will be a large gathering," he said.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will address the rally as the chief guest.

The party leaders and activists from different city areas have started thronging the venue since 1:00pm.

A huge number of law enforcers have been deployed there to fend off any untoward incident.

On Saturday, Mirza Fakhrul announced that their party would hold rallies in all cities and district towns to protest the "oppression" on the party leaders and workers during their sit-in programme on Saturday.

Meanwhile, BNP's sit-in programme at the key entry points of Dhaka on Saturday was marred by clashes and violence, leaving an unspecified number of people injured.

Several vehicles were torched in different areas, including Matuail and Shyamoli, during the clashes between BNP activists and police.