Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Sunday said whether BNP will be allowed to hold or not a public meeting at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka will be decided after assessment of security arrangements.
The Minister came up with the remark while talking to journalists after attending a programme at the Fire Service and Civil Defence Training Complex at Mirpur in the city on Sunday.
"It's usual that political parties hold several programmes. Besides, the law enforcers also have to think about security of the country," Asaduzzaman said.
If there is any fear of insecurity, the law enforcing agencies will look into the matter and take proper steps, Asaduzzaman added.
The Home Minister also said the law enforcing agencies will assess the security arrangements and give permission to BNP to hold a public gathering if there is no security concern.
Earlier on the day, the Home Minister addressed the passing out programme of firemen at the Fire Service and Civil Defence Training Complex as chief guest.
The Home Minister said the firemen sacrifice their lives to save the people's lives and valuables and try to build themselves as true firefighters and rescuers.
Senior Secretary of Home Ministry Mozammel Haque Khan, Director General (DG) of Fire Service and Civil Defence Brig Gen Ali Khan, among others, were present at the programme.
Meanwhile, Asaduzzaman Mia Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said it will not allow anyone to hold a public meeting at Dhaka's Suhrawardy Udyan on January 5 if there is a risk of clashes.
Senior police officials have been told to come up with an assessment report, said Asaduzzaman Mia.
"We will decide about it after that report is made available," he told a press briefing on Sunday.
Asaduzzaman Mia's comments come in the backdrop of the political rivals, the ruling Awami League and the BNP declaring   parallel public meetings at the same venue with opposing views on  January 5, the second anniversary of the 10th parliamentary elections, which took place in 2014.
In a press release on Saturday, the ruling Awami League named 18 venues for rallies in the capital on Tuesday-one of those being the Suhrawardy Udyan.
Earlier in the day, the BNP announced its plans to hold a public meeting at the same venue and said Chairperson Khaleda Zia will address the programme.