BNP announces fresh protests

The BNP yesterday announced a two-day programme to be observed across the country, demanding party Chairperson Khaleda Zia's release from jail.

The party will form a human chain tomorrow and stage a sit-in on Thursday across the country, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, senior joint secretary general of the party, announced it at a press briefing at the party's Nayapaltan central office.

However, the name of the venue for observing the two programmes in the capital will be announced later, said Rizvi.

On March 1, BNP distributed leaflets across the country demanding Khaleda's release.

After the jailing of Khaleda, the party observed different peaceful programmes, including leaflet distribution, countrywide demonstration, human-chain formation, sit-in, token hunger-strike, protest procession in five phases, demanding her release.

On February 8, Khaleda was sent to jail following a court verdict that sentenced her to five years' rigorous imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case. Meanwhile, at another programme, BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury alleged that government is gradually “squeezing” political space so that BNP cannot join the next general election.

“They (government) are shrinking the political space. They will create a situation where BNP will not be able to participate in the election,” he told a discussion at Jatiya Press Club.

He said BNP does not need to go to foreigners with complaints as the UN and other organisations are aware of the condition of the rule of law, human rights and freedom of speech in Bangladesh.