Authorities have withdrawn Section 144 restrictions in Habiganj municipality after determining that the overall law-and-order situation had returned to normal. The order was signed on Thursday by District Commissioner and District Magistrate Dr. M A Sarfaraz. With the withdrawal, restrictions on public gatherings, including meetings and rallies, are no longer in force in the municipal area.

The restrictions were imposed on Wednesday morning following clashes in Habiganj town on July 28 between activists of the National Citizen Party, or NCP, and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal over the “July Jagaran Padayatra.” Several people from both sides were injured in the confrontation.

The district administration had imposed the order amid fears of further conflict after the NCP and the BNP, along with its affiliated organizations, announced programmes at the same time and venue. During the restrictions, meetings, rallies, processions, marches and public gatherings were prohibited. Additional police, army personnel and other law-enforcement forces were deployed to strengthen security in the municipal area.