-- Human Chain

-- Across the country Sept 12;

-- Public Rallies  

-- Sept 21 in Sylhet,

-- Sept 26 in Mymensingh

-- Sept 29 in Rajshahi

BNP will form human chain programmes in Dhaka on September 11 and across the country on September 12 to press home its demand for immediate release of its imprisoned Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today announced the programme at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office in Dhaka this noon.

BNP will hold public rallies in Sylhet on September 21, in Mymensingh on September 26 and in Rajshahi on September 29 and later, a public rally may be held in Rangpur to meet the demand, Fakhrul said.   

“Govt paving way to take Khaleda in jail without completing treatment”

At the press conference, Fakhrul alleged that the government is paving the way to take Khaleda Zia in jail without completing her proper treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

“The overall health condition of Khaleda Zia has deteriorated gradually as she is being denied proper treatment there,” Fakhrul said.

The BNP chief landed in jail after being sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8 last year and later, the High Court on October 30 last year enhanced her punishment to 10 years in the case after dismissing her appeal.

Khaleda Zia was admitted to the BSMMU on April 1 after she felt sick in the jail and her treatment is still ongoing there.

Responding to a query, the BNP leader said, “We have no right to seek parole. Khaleda Zia can seek her release on parole but she did not do so. We cannot say whether she would seek the parole in future.”

Claiming that Khaleda Zia deserves bail, Fakhrul said she (Khaleda) has been denied bail on political motive. If she is given the bail, she could take proper treatment at home or abroad as per her wills, Fakhrul added.

Fakhrul criticised vice-chancellor of the BSMMU as he yesterday claimed that Khaleda Zia is now well enough.

“We think that it is conspicuous. A path is being paved to resent her to jail without giving her proper treatment. Her condition has worsened progressively,” Fakhrul said.

BNP standing committee members Moudud Ahmed, Abdul Moeen Khan, Amir Khashru Muhammad Chowdhury, Iqubal Hasan Mahmud Tuku and party’s senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, among others, were present at the press conference.