Leaders and activists of BNP staged demonstration in Nayapaltan area of Dhaka protesting jail sentence against the party Chairperson Khaleda Zia in a corruption case.

Hundreds of leaders and activists of the party gathered in Nayapaltan area after Jumma prayers and brought out processions from in front of the party's central office in the area demanding the immediate release of Khaleda.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir led the procession which was brought from the north gate of Baitul Mukarram mosque after Jumma prayers.

Police dispersed the procession when it reached in front of the Nayapaltan party office after marching Dainik Bangla and Fokirapul areas in the capital.

A huge number of law enforcers including police, Rapid Action Battalion and intelligence branches were deployed in and around the area to avoid any untoward situation.

Meanwhile, leaders and activists of BNP staged demonstration in Rajshahi and Barisal cities protesting the verdict.

Amid heightening tensions and various speculations, a special court in Dhaka yesterday handed down the former prime minister to five years' imprisonment in the much-talked-about Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.