Govt playing trick to prolong Khaleda's stay in jail: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today alleged that the government has resorted to various tricks to delay release of Khaleda Zia from jail.

"You (govt) are trying to keep Khaleda Zia in confinement by resorting to tricks. But why? It’s nothing but fear. Your (Awami League) throne of power will be floated away in the face of people's wave if Khaleda Zia is freed now," Fakhrul said.

The BNP leader came up with the remark while addressing a programme organised at the National Press Club to press the demand for immediate release of Khaleda Zia and the party's Standing Committee Member Goyeshwar Chandra Roy.

The BNP chairperson yesterday secured four months' bail in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case. A special court in Dhaka sentenced her five years' imprisonment in the case on February 8.

But she could not walk out of jail as she was shown arrested in a case for instigating an arson attack on a bus on Dhaka-Chittagong highway in Comilla's Chauddagram that left seven passengers dead and 25 to 30 others injured on February 3, 2015.

Describing Khaleda Zia as the mother of democracy, Fakhrul said, "Only street is now in front of us and we will solve all the prevailing political impasses by engaging people with our peaceful movement."

Fakhrul also blasted the law enforcers as Dhaka North unit Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal Vice-President Zakir Hossain Milon died in “jail custody” yesterday.

Citing the government sponsored brutalities, Fakhrul called upon his party men to turn around against such cruel and merciless activities by taking to the streets.

"It’s right time, we have no alternative but to take to the street," the BNP leader said.