BNP's fresh programmes demanding Khaleda release

The BNP has announced a set of fresh programmes to press home for the release of its jailed chairperson Khaleda Zia.

The three-day programme including a mass signature campaign on Saturday while submission of  memoranda to the DCs across the country on Sunday and holding countrywide protest rallies  except Dhaka on Tuesday.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the programmes at a press conference on Thursday.


UNB adds : Before announcing the programme, Fakhrul said, "We want peace, not any violence. We also want to create a peaceful atmosphere in the country so that people can freely exercise their voting right. With this goal in mind, we're announcing peaceful programmes demanding our leader's (Khaleda's) unconditional release."


"They're devising a blueprint to eliminate BNP leadership and keep our leader Khaleda Zia and her party away from the next general election," he alleged.


Fakhrul said the government is also constituting new courts and making a case into two - one for explosive and another for vandalism. "This means those who belong to opposition parties will have to die only by facing the cases filed against them."


He alleged that the government has created a dangerous situation with its repressive acts to restore one-party rule and ensure the victory of the ruling party in the next polls by any means.


Fakhrul said they also want to hold a public rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the city and soon seek permission for it after fixing a particular date.


A special court convicted former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and sentenced her to five years' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on February 8 last. She was then sent to the old central jail at Nazimuddin Road in the city.


Hours after she was taken to jail, the party announced countrywide demonstrations for Friday and Saturday last.


Later, the party announced a three-day programme from Monday to Wednesday demanding her immediate release.


As part of the programmes, the party observed a token hunger strike on Wednesday while formed a human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club on Monday and staged a sit-in programme in front of the party's Nayapaltan central office on Tuesday.