In presence of police, BNP stages sit-in at Nayapaltan

Amid a large contingent of police, thousands of BNP leaders and activists are staging a sit-in in front of their Nayapaltan central office, demanding the release of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail.

The movement of vehicles came to a standstill in front of the office due to the sit-in, Bangla daily Prothom Alo reported.

Police picked up two BNP men, including Fazlul Haque Milon, advisor of BNP chairperson, from the spot, the daily added.

Police were deployed in front of the office and its surrounding areas since morning, ahead of the scheduled programme of BNP.

The party activists continued protests till filing of this report today afternoon.

Khaleda has been behind bars since February 8, 2018 when she was convicted by a special court in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. Later that year, she was found guilty in another graft case.

However, her party claims both cases are politically motivated.

The BNP chief, now facing about 36 cases, has been undergoing treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University since April 1 last year.