Police today foiled a programme, organised by Agriculturists Association of Bangladesh, in Dhaka where BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was made chief guest.

The programme was scheduled to begin at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh around 3:00pm to mark the national Independence Day.

Hasan Zakir Tuhin, member secretary of the association, alleged that a team of police led by Assistant Sub-Inspector Mamun Shah went to the venue around 2:00pm and asked them to cancel the programme.

“They (police) asked us to cancel the programme saying no programme of BNP secretary general will be held here,” Tuhin said.

Contacted, Mazaharul Islam, officer-in-charge of Tejgaon Police Station, told The Daily Star that police did not let them to hold the programme as the organisers did not take any prior permission.

“Prior permission is needed for arranging such programmes,” the police official said.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today claimed that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) prepared BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s medical report last night, but they could not submit it before the court under pressure from the government.

“According to an unofficial source, the medical report of Khaleda was prepared by the BSMMU last night. But it (the process) was halted under the direct pressure from the government,” Mirza Fakhrul alleged at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan office today.

The entire nation was disappointed after the court rejected the lawyers’ plea for hearing Khaleda’s appeal today and later deferred the date of hearing, he also said.

“We were observing with utter surprise and concern that BNP chairperson was denied facilities at the prison cell from the very beginning of the case,” he alleged.

Terming the rejection of Khaleda’s bail as inhumane and against the existing law, Fakhrul said, “In such case, the bail is supposed to be granted within seven days. But it was not happened in the context of Khaleda rather her bail appeal has been obstructed in every steps.”

About Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s comment against Khaleda, Fakhrul said the premier is interfering in the judiciary.

The prime minister yesterday came down heavily on BNP chief Khaleda and termed her the “godmother of terrorism” in the country.

With that remark, the PM and her government showed fear to BSMMU authorities as they (government) do not want bail of Khaleda.

“Release of Khaleda is not a matter of kindness rather it is her legal right. Everything is planned to keep her away from politics which is completely illegal,” he further claimed.

The BNP leader said there is a death risk of Khaleda, if she was not treated properly and the government will be responsible for not treating her.

BNP has demanded that the government cancel its recent decision to hike price of gas by 22.78 percent.

When soaring price of daily commodities is causing immense public suffering, the increase in the price of gas will be a big blow to them, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said today at a press conference at the party chairperson's office in Gulshan, Dhaka.

At the press conference, the BNP general secretary also announced a three-day protest against the price hike of the essential commodities, and gas.

The programme includes demonstrations at all metropolitan areas, including Dhaka, on June 9, at district headquarters on June 11, and at the upazila level on June 13.

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Govt hikes gas tariff by 22.8pc

Mirza Fakhrul said that BNP's standing committee meeting took the decision on the three-day protest programme.

All the associate bodies of BNP will join the programme, Fakhrul said.

Bangladesh's energy regulator has decided to increase gas price by 22.78 percent for all users, on average. The gas price hike will be applicable from June.