Pro-AL doctors issue 24hrs ultimatum to Khaleda

Pro-Awami League doctors today gave a 24-hour ultimatum to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia for the withdrawal of ongoing blockade, hartal (shutdown) and violence.

Or else they would start resisting blockade and hartal violence, said Dr Yunus Ali Sarker, one of the 10 doctors.

The ultimatum was issued when the physicians, all lawmakers from ruling AL, submitted a memorandum to Khaleda's Gulshan office in Dhaka around 12:45am in favour of their demand.

Syrul Kabir Khan, a staff of BNP chief's media wing, received the memorandum at the office gate.

Former health minister Dr Ruhal Haque, Dr Muhammad Habibe Millat and Dr Enamur Rahman were among the doctors.

Khaleda, also chief of the BNP-led 20-party alliance, along with some senior leaders and staffs have been staying at her Gulshan office since January 3.

Demanding of a non-party polls-time government, Khaleda announced non-stop countrywide blockade since January 6.

On top of the blockade, the alliance have been enforcing hartal (shutdown) since February 1.

So far, the blockade and hartal has already claimed 84 lives, of which 67 people had no affiliation with any political party, according to The Daily Star reports.