Police yesterday stopped setting up of a stage for the NGO-sponsored rally scheduled to be held today at the Manik Mia Avenue in front of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

The NGO workers started setting up the stage at 12 noon. Police intervened at around 2 pm on the pretext that the organisers of the rally did not obtain permission from the DC Traffic.

A number of NGO leaders and political personalities including Dr Kamal Hossain. Dr Kazi Faruque Ahmed. Khusi Kabir. Advocate Sigma Huda were seen talking to police personnel at the venue.

Dr Kamal Hossain told the Daily Star that police was obstructing setting up of the stage unlawfully.

"We have court verdict to hold the rally at this venue." said Advdcate Sigma Huda. "This gives us the right to erect the stage."

We are going by the law." said Dr Faruque. "When we took permission for the rally, nobody told us that we need permission of the DC Traffic. Now they have come up with this excuse."

Later, the NGO leaders left the venue to take permission from the Inspector General of Police for holding the rally. But nothing could be known till filing the report late last night.

Meanwhile, a single member Special Vacation Bench of the High Court yesterday stayed an order issued by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) regarding cancellation of a permission granted earlier for use of land speakers at a national rally of grassroots organisation in the city today.