A Comilla court today issued arrest warrant against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in a case filed for an arson attack that killed eight people during BNP-led 20-party alliance’s anti-government agitation in 2015.

Judge Jesmeen Begum of District and Sessions Judges Court in Comilla passed the order, our local correspondent reports quoting public prosecutor Mostafizur Rahman Liton.

The court also issued arrest warrants against BNP standing Committee members Rafiqul Islam Mia, MK Anwar, Vice Chairman Shawkat Mahmud and Senior Joint Secretary Rizvi Ahmed.

Police recently pressed charge sheet against 78 BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and activists. The case was filed on February 3, 2015.

The case statement said that activists of the 20-party alliance set fire on a bus hurling a petrol bomb that left eight passengers dead on the spot.

Jubo Dal to stage countrywide demo tomorrow

Hours after issuing of the arrest warrant, BNP’s youth front Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal announced that they will stage countrywide demonstration tomorrow demanding immediate withdrawal of the arrest warrant.     

Jubo Dal President Saiful Islam Nirab and its General Secretary Sultan Salauddin Tuku called upon the party men to take to the streets spontaneously to meet the demand.